M’sians urged to join fight against Hepatitis through support group

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is calling on Malaysians from all walks of life to join the Hepatitis Support Group to help fight and create awareness of the disease, which is seen as a major health threat for Malaysians.

Health Ministry directorgeneral Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said currently, the awareness level among Malaysians was still low on hepatitis and many were not even aware that they might already be infected with the disease.

“At present, there are only 78 members (of the support group) and I hope the number will increase. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the public to join the Hepatitis Support Group to help create awareness about the disease and to march forward together to eliminate hepatitis,” he said at the Walk-A-Run Hepatitis 2017 event, organised in conjunction with World Hepatitis Day, here, yesterday.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam had recently revealed that about 500,000 Malaysians had Hepatitis C and most were unaware of it.

Dr Subramaniam said Hepatitis C incidence saw an increase from 3.71 per cent in 2009 to 8.57 per cent in 2016.

Dr Noor Hisham said it was possible to eliminate hepatitis by year 2030, in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis.

"We hope it (hepatitis) can be eliminated by then. Prevention of the disease is also cheaper than having to cure it, thus vaccination for Hepatitis B could help prevent Hepatitis C," he added.

Dr Noor Hisham also reiterated the government’s commitment to seeking better ways to lower the cost of treatment for Hepatitis C, by the year-end.

At present, the cost of treatment for Hepatitis C is US$80,000 (RM342,632), and the government hopes to reduce it by US$300 (RM1,284.87).

World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on July 28 each year to raise awareness and understanding about the disease, and to encourage individuals, policy makers and partners to initiate actions.

About 1,000 people took part in the Walk-A-Run Hepatitis 2017, organised by the Hepatitis Support Group and Selayang Hospital. — Bernama