KARACHI, Sept 29: Hepatitis Awareness Day will be observed on Oct 1 to increase awareness about hepatitis B and C.

Both forms of viral hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver transplantation and yet Hepatitis-B can be prevented through immunisation and in many cases, Hepatitis C can be cured.

The WHO has released three hepatitis prevention, treatment and care protocols, and has called upon governments around the world to prioritise hepatitis.

Almost 600 million people worldwide are infected with either hepatitis B or C, a disease which can lead to life-threatening conditions.

Of these, 350 million have hepatitis B despite WHO guidelines released in 1991 recommending hepatitis B vaccination.

Whilst no vaccine exists to immunize against hepatitis C, treatment options mean that many patients can essentially be cleared of their disease.

The problem is that the majority of patients with hepatitis C don't even know that they have the disease.

Stigma, shame and fear can suffocate awareness. All these barriers generally prevent people from getting tested, getting treatment and clearing themselves of this disease. —PPI