Another World Hepatitis Day is here. July 28th, time sure flies. Don’t go bored on me just yet, if you remember, last year we discussed the theme of eliminating it by 2030. So at least for next 13 years, we are going to talk about it and discuss how far we have reached.
For those who missed it, Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, which can cause anything from fever, jaundice, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A and E are commonly caused by contaminated food and water, others B, C, D are transmitted sexually and also by contact with infected blood, use of contaminated syringes (like people who do substance use, during blood transfusion, even syringes for tattoo art). Also, pregnant mothers may pass the infection to the child. Another worrying fact is it is easily transferrable, and vaccines are available for A and B yet most children don’t get it. So last year WHO worked on the theme with the focus of spreading more awareness, and get more and more people tested so that appropriate measures can be taken.
Now that we are up to speed, this year’s theme is ‘Eliminating Hepatitis’. The campaigns to work this strategy are – #Nohep and #ShowYourFace. Personally, I believe the idea is ingenious. At the end of the day its people who will work to get this mission possible. So these ideas involve common people like you and me, not just organisations, government bodies, medical professional or civil society, but all of us together.
#Nohep campaign is an effort and a platform bringing world over people together giving them and helping them with the opportunity to showcase their efforts in the fight against hepatitis. It is to build awareness about what it is, the causes, symptoms, the A to Z and eventually eliminate it. The idea behind is the more people know about it, talk about it, realise the importance of it to achieve global prosperity, we can demand the strategies, tools from our government. The campaign believes the louder the people voices metaphorically are, more effectively the government bodies, world leaders will work to get the WHO’s sustainable development goals. You may just use social media and tag it on social websites with #nohep.
#ShowYourFace is a Polaroid picture of you, individuals, even groups with their ‘I AM’ statements focusing on their stories, contributions, and emotions all in regards with hepatitis. It is to drive home the point, about the world wide reach of the disease and how all our contributions together, each little step counts for eliminating it. You may post your picture on social websites with #showyourface or use the WHO ‘bespoke #showyourfaceselfietoo!
The estimated number of lives we will save if we are able to achieve it is about 7 million. Along with a much-much better state of health for about 380 million people across the globe. It’s staggering.
“I AM going to do everything I can to free people from Hepatitis clutch”‘ and I hope you do too.