The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function may be impaired. Alcohol abuse, toxins, certain medications, and specific diseases can cause hepatitis.
Today, more than 350 million people worldwide live with infectious hepatitis B or C, and most of them do not have access to high-quality and timely medical care. Some people with chronic hepatitis develop progressive diseases and complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2040 hepatitis may cause more deaths than malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV combined.
In this regard, in 2023 the WHO launched a campaign to combat hepatitis under the slogan “One life. One liver.” As part of the global strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis, the plan is to reduce new cases of hepatitis infection by 90% and mortality by 65% by 2030. The main measures to combat viral hepatitis are vaccination, testing, and treatment. To prevent mother-to-child transmission, all pregnant women are recommended to be tested for hepatitis B. If the test result is positive, such women should receive treatment, and their newborn children should be vaccinated against the infection.
The hepatitis B vaccine should be administered to all newborns as soon as possible after birth (within 24 hours), followed by two or three additional doses of the vaccine at intervals of at least four weeks. Revaccination is generally not required for individuals who have completed the full vaccination course of three doses. According to various estimates, promoting preventive measures against hepatitis can prevent approximately 4.5 million premature deaths in low- and middle-income countries.
There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with medication. Care for patients with acute hepatitis B should aim to create comfortable conditions for the patient. Individuals with the illness should adhere to a healthy diet and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Treatment has three main goals: slowing the development of liver cirrhosis, reducing the number of liver cancer cases, and improving long-term survival rates.
Thus, it becomes necessary to update the WHO guidelines on the treatment of hepatitis B. This will increase the accessibility and effectiveness of medical care, expand the number of people eligible for treatment, and increase the proportion of individuals receiving treatment.
Asem Urystemova,
Lecturer of the Department of Health Policy and Organization
