By Daniel Agbesi Latsu, GNA
Kadjebi (O/R), July 09, GNA – Mr Eric Nana Takyi, the Kadjebi District Director of Health Services, has urged the public to adopt preventive measures against hepatitis, stressing that early testing, vaccination and good hygiene are essential to reducing infections and preventing liver-related complications.
He said hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, could be caused by viruses, excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, toxins and autoimmune diseases, with viral hepatitis posing the greatest public health concern.
Mr Takyi made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) ahead of the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day on July 28, as part of activities to promote hepatitis awareness.
He explained that the five major viral types of hepatitis—A, B, C, D and E—were transmitted through different routes and therefore required different preventive approaches.
He stated that Hepatitis A and E, were commonly spread through contaminated food and water resulting from poor sanitation and hygiene, while Hepatitis B was transmitted through contact with infected blood, unprotected sexual intercourse, mother-to-child transmission during childbirth, and the sharing of contaminated sharp objects such as razors and needles.
For Hepatitis C, it was mainly spread through infected blood, particularly through unsafe medical injections, unscreened blood transfusions and the sharing of contaminated sharp instruments, adding that Hepatitis D only affected individuals who already had the Hepatitis B infection.
Mr Takyi noted that vaccination remained one of the most effective ways of preventing hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis A and B.
He said the Hepatitis B vaccine had been incorporated into Ghana’s Expanded Programme on Immunization for newborns and children.
He advised the public to observe good personal hygiene by washing their hands regularly with soap, drinking safe or treated water, and eating properly cooked food, to reduce the risk of Hepatitis A and E infections.
The District Director also encouraged the practice of safe sex, regular screening of donated blood, the use of sterile needles and medical instruments, and avoiding the sharing of personal items such as toothbrushes, razors and nail clippers.
He further advised all pregnant women to undergo Hepatitis B screening, explaining that babies born to infected mothers should receive the Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine together with Hepatitis B immunoglobulin within 24 hours after birth to minimise mother-to-child transmission.
Touching on treatment, Mr Takyi said Hepatitis A and E infections were generally mild and often resolved without specific antiviral medication, although severe cases might require hospital care, proper nutrition and adequate hydration.
He explained that although Hepatitis B currently has no complete cure, antiviral medicines could effectively suppress the virus and significantly reduce the risk of liver damage.
Mr Takyi said advances in medicine had made Hepatitis C curable in more than 95 per cent of cases through the use of direct-acting antiviral drugs administered over an eight to 12-week period.
He said treatment for Hepatitis D was provided alongside the management of Hepatitis B and urged patients diagnosed with any form of hepatitis to avoid alcohol consumption, refrain from self-medication and adhere to regular medical reviews for liver monitoring.
Mr Takyi called on the public to know their hepatitis status through early testing and to seek prompt medical attention whenever necessary.
He expressed confidence that increased public awareness, expanded vaccination coverage and strict adherence to preventive measures would help eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Christabel Addo