World Hepatitis Day today

Bangladesh will observe the World Hepatitis Day today for raising awareness against the deadly virus, with the theme ‘Hepatitis, Can’t Wait’.

The day is observed every year on July 28 to increase awareness of different forms of hepatitis and methods of its prevention and treatment.

This day is observed on July 28, the birthday of Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, to honour him as he discovered the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).

In Bangladesh, the government and different non-government organizations have chalked out various programmes, including seminars, a rally and health campaigns, to observe the Day.

Newspapers published special articles, while television and radio channels will air programmes highlighting significance of the day.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day.

President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said liver is an important organ in the human body and the number of liver related patients in the country is constantly increasing due to the lack of proper understanding among the public about liver related disease, its prevention and taking timely treatment for this disease.

Hepatitis is one of the liver related diseases, he said, adding that unregulated lifestyle, unsafe blood circulation and drug addiction are the main causes of hepatitis B and C virus infections, the head of the state added.

A complete treatment for hepatitis B and C virus infections has not yet been discovered, Hamid said, adding that viral hepatitis is largely preventable through creating awareness among the masses.