Minister Mitcy Larue’s World Hepatitis Day message |28 July 2015

‘It’s up to you to prevent hepatitis’

People not infected with hepatitis are being urged to stay uninfected and ensure they remain uninfected.

“Prevent yourself and those close to you from contracting it by avoiding exposure. If you are already infected, prevent transmission to others by taking all the necessary precautions.”

These words of advice come in a message from the Minister for Health Mitcy Larue to mark World Hepatitis Day today.

The full text of Minister Larue’s message reads:

“Today we join the world to commemorate the World Hepatitis Day under the theme ‘Prevent Hepatitis: It’s up to you’.

“The campaign emphasises on raising awareness among the general public, and infected patients, promote and improve access to hepatitis services. The campaign also calls for prevention interventions by policymakers.

“WHO highlights the urgent need for countries to enhance action to prevent viral hepatitis infection and to ensure that people who have been infected are diagnosed and offered treatment. This year, the organisation is focusing particularly on hepatitis B and C, which together cause approximately 80% of all liver cancer deaths and kill close to 1.4 million people every year

“The Ministry of Health in Seychelles is committed to reducing the risk of hepatitis. All donated blood and blood components are tested for hepatitis B and C (as well as HIV and syphilis).

“Hepatitis B vaccine forms part of the country’s national vaccination programme. All babies born from 1995 are vaccinated against hepatitis B. Adults that are at risk of contracting hepatitis B are also vaccinated. These include health care workers, dialysis patients, HIV positive patients and first responders to name a few.

“The ministry has been promoting safer sex practices, including minimising the number of partners and using barrier protective measures (condoms), which also protect against transmission.

“The country faces new challenges. Despite the entire ministry’s effort to prevent hepatitis, A cumulative of 529 cases of hepatitis C has been reported from 2002 to June 2015.

“A total of 43 new cases of hepatitis C have been reported from January to June 2015. (DSRU, Ministry of Health).

“The recent statistics have clearly indicated that hepatitis C infection is rapidly increasing in certain population groups, mainly people who inject drugs. These young men and women have families, they have their friends and the virus can be transmitted to them as well. Therefore this year, Seychelles is focusing mainly on hepatitis C prevention. For those of you not infected, stay uninfected and ensure you remain uninfected. Prevent yourself and those close to you from contracting it by avoiding exposure. If you are already infected, prevent transmission to others by taking all the necessary precautions.

“The ministry remains committed in providing care to those who are infected, but it is not enough. Combating the scourge of illicit drugs hence preventing new hepatitis C infections requires a concerted effort of all parties concerned.

“Let us be true to this year’s theme and let’s prevent hepatitis and its related liver disease through education and hepatitis B vaccination. Each and every one of us must make it our own responsibility to sufficiently get informed and access to information, about infection, transmission and prevention of hepatitis. The government funds services to provide education and resources to raise awareness of hepatitis and vaccines to prevent hepatitis.  There are opportunities that all of us can take advantage of, from all services of the health centres, the media, internet, and in our everyday lives, to increase awareness around this issue.

“Significant progress has been made recently in tackling hepatitis C, including this government’s introduction of a rehabilitation centre for those addicted to drugs and wanted to come out of it. More still need to be done but it should be a national commitment by civil societies, NGOs, private sectors.

“I therefore call upon all who believe in prevention -- parents, siblings, individuals, NGOs, religious groups and other national organisations -- to join hands in this national battle against hepatitis.

“Make it your duty to combat illicit drug use and the use of contaminated needles and syringes by drug users.  This remains the main mode of transmission of hepatitis C. Together we shall influence real change in disease preventions.

“Today, on World Hepatitis Day, July 28, 2015, I urge the continuation of this good work to improve the awareness and testing of hepatitis C, and call on anyone who might be at risk to get tested.