To mark the commemoration of the World Hepatitis Day 2020, the World Health Organization has called for a global and united effort to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. More than 1.3 million people die annually as a result of Hepatitis B and C. Zambia has therefore joined the global community to commemorate World Hepatitis Day under the theme "Hepatitis free future". The theme highlights the importance of preventing mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B and scaling-up prevention, testing and treatment to control hepatitis B and cure hepatitis C.
The Ministry of Health working in collaboration with various partners and stakeholders has taken the lead to organise events aimed at raising public awareness about the disease and promoting prevention, testing, treatment and care. On 27 July 2020, a virtual meeting which brought together healthcare providers from national and subnational levels including Provincial Health Officers, District Health Officers and health facilities was convened with the aims of conducting tele-ECHO clinical mentorship session and sharing experiences. A Specialist in clinical management of viral hepatitis presented on diagnosis, management and prevention of viral hepatitis. Furthermore, participants of the session reviewed a clinical case of a pregnant mother with positive HBsAg test, normal ALT and APRI score less than 2.
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