World Health Organization is observed on 28th July every year as “World Hepatitis Day”.
This day is celebrated to enhance
awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes a
range of health problems, including liver cancer.
This year’s theme is “Hepatitis-free future,” with a strong focus on preventing hepatitis B among mothers and newborns.
The date of 28 July was chosen because
it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg,
who discovered the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic
test and vaccine for the virus.
There are five main strains of the
hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D and E. Together, hepatitis B and C are the
most common cause of deaths, with 1.3 million lives lost each year.
WHO Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland; Director general: Tedros Adhanom.
