Moving ahead on Global Strategy towards elimination - Regional Action Plan
Overview
Eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat in the Region
Viral hepatitis poses a serious public health challenge both globally and in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Viral hepatitis accounts for over 410000 deaths annually in South east Asia Region , which is more than the number of deaths caused by TB, malaria or HIV. The mortality due to hepatitis is still increasing. With the Global goal of ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, the Regional Action Plan for SE Asia will provide an actionable framework of priority evidence-based interventions to support national responses for prevention, control and management of viral hepatitis in the Region.
Key facts
An estimated 257 million people in the world have chronic hepatitis B and another 71 million chronic hepatitis C.
Chronic hepatitis B and C claim almost 1.34 million lives each year globally.
The WHO South-East Asia region has almost 49 million people living with chronic hepatitis B and C and an estimated 410 000
succumb to the infection and its complications each year.