The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Bangladesh among the ten countries with the highest hepatitis C burden globally and called for accelerated efforts to expand prevention, testing, and treatment services.
WHO made this call in a statement issued on Tuesday to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day.
The organization noted that millions of people in Bangladesh continue to face challenges in accessing hepatitis-related healthcare services, despite the disease being preventable and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable.
“Hepatitis is preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable. Yet too many people miss out on the services they need because they are diagnosed too late or cannot access timely testing and treatment,” said Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh.
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He called for urgent action to remove barriers preventing people from accessing life-saving hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment services.
WHO urged authorities and stakeholders to intensify efforts to expand access across the country, aiming to reduce the disease burden and improve health outcomes.
