Hepatitis 'silently' killing more than Aids

Head of Viral, Hepatitis and Sexual Transmission Infections (STIs) NASCOP Dr Nazila Ganatra. [Courtesy]

As Kenya joins the world in marking Hepatitis Day today, stigma remains a big challenge in elimination of the disease that affects at least 1.9 million Kenyans.

Head of Viral, Hepatitis and Sexual Transmission Infections (STIs) at the National AIDS and STI Control Programme (Nascop), Dr Nazila Ganatra, says stigma is a major issue plaguing the eradication of the disease.

“Lack of awareness and stigma are among hitches derailing the elimination of Hepatitis,” said Dr Ganatra.

Globally, at least 304 million people are living with hepatitis, with 254 million of them afflicted by Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C ravaging 50 million others.

In Kenya, an estimated five per cent prevalence rate is recorded. The viral disease is endemic in the counties of Turkana, Baringo, and Migori, posting prevalence rates of 16.8, 11.9, and 10 per cent, respectively.

Research is ongoing to establish causes of increased cases in these regions. Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver that presents with pain or bloating of the belly, dark urine, fatigue and general body weakness.

Other symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.

Vital organs

If not treated, it infects vital organs including kidney and lungs, and beyond the lungs, leading to death.

As a mitigation, the official says the Ministry of Health through Nascop, has set up a unit to scale up awareness, screening and treatment.

“As we commemorate World Hepatitis Day, we want to create more awareness of the disease in the population because it is treatable and preventable” adds Ganatra.

Additionally, the ministry is working towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission.

“One of the agendas of elimination is having a mother attending Antenatal Clinic (ANC) be tested for HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis for wholesome reducing of diseases,” she added.

Nascop notes that addressing the disease is a critical aspect of family health that aligns perfectly with Kenyans commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Targeted vaccination is done among at-risk populations such as healthcare workers and in prisons.

Ahead of the day, the Ministry of Health organised a national event in Marigat, Baringo County on Friday.

Baringo County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr Solomon Sirma, said although measures are in place to vaccinate people to prevent the spread of the disease, stock shortage remains the main hitch.

“We have been doing screening of Hepatitis B, but unfortunately, there is shortage of vaccines with no stocks at Kenya Medical Supplies Authority,” said Dr Sirma.

Baringo has a prevalence of 10 per cent against eight per cent national, and six percent globally.

A single dose of Hepatitis B costs Sh250, a drug given in three doses.

“We had arranged to do target vaccinations, unfortunately there are no vaccines. We have identified a supplier called MEDs but unfortunately no supply yet because we are struggling with supplementary budget,” said Sirma.

Vaccines help to create immunity in human, and therefore control infection of the disease spread through air droplets and sex.

Kenya has committed to the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B as part of its goal to achieve universal health coverage.

Approximately 1.4 million Kenyans are living with HIV, with the infection rate of 12,558 among women and 5,122 in children.