THE Philippine College of Physicians on Tuesday emphasized the importance of ensuring that all Filipinos have access to hepatitis testing, as well as integrated prevention, care and treatment services.
In the health forum, Lovelle Gatchalian, a medical expert, highlighted that a special focus was needed on high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, those in correctional or chronic care facilities, commercial sex workers, people living with HIV, and overseas Filipino workers.
Screening should target these high-risk populations, including individuals with clinical suspicion of chronic hepatitis B (CHB), health care workers, pregnant women and blood donors, said Gatchalian.
Gatchalian also recommended tests include HBsAg for current infection, AntiHBc Total or AntiHBc IgG for past or current infection, and AntiHBs for immunity status.
Vaccination against hepatitis B involves a three-dose series, with follow-up testing recommended for certain groups, such as health care workers and immunocompromised individuals.
Antiviral treatments, including tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or entecavir, are recommended, with specific protocols for pregnant women, said Gatchalian.
Gatchalian said monitoring is crucial for those undergoing treatment, using non-invasive tests and regular health checks.
She also noted that antiviral therapy for hepatitis B is typically life-long, particularly for those with cirrhosis, though discontinuation may be considered under strict conditions for individuals without cirrhosis and with stable health markers.
The World Health Organization’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report reveals a rising trend in deaths from viral hepatitis. The disease now ranks as the second leading cause of infectious death worldwide, with 1.3 million fatalities annually, equaling the number of deaths from tuberculosis.
Data from 187 countries indicate that deaths from viral hepatitis increased from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2022. Of these, 83 percent were due to hepatitis B and 17 percent to hepatitis C. Globally, 3,500 people die each day from hepatitis B and C infections.
The Philippines is among the nations contributing to two-thirds of the global burden of Hepatitis B and C. In 2022, the country reported 400,000 cases of hepatitis C.
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