28th July is observed as World Hepatitis Day by the United Nations to create more awareness about Hepatitis and its prevention. It seeks to “step up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need for a greater global response.”
According to the World Health Organization, viral hepatitis B and C is the cause for 1.4 million deaths across the world in a year despite the fact that it is treatable and preventable. Unfortunately, this appalling fact is true because a majority of the people suffering from this disease lack prevention, testing, and treatment.
Why is it observed on 28th July?
World Hepatitis Day is observed on 28th July to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed a vaccine for it.
Theme for World Hepatitis Day 2019
The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2019 is ‘Invest in Eliminating Hepatitis.’
It seeks to urge policymakers around the world to invest more in testing, preventing, and eventually, eliminating hepatitis from across the world.
The Asian nation of Pakistan is the host country for World Hepatitis Day 2019.
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