Saturday August 11, 2012
Updates on hepatitis
IN CONJUNCTION with World Hepatitis Day, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur organised a “Hepatitis Made Easy” public forum at the hospital to create awareness on Hepatitis A, B and C.
Free hepatitis tests as well as liver function tests were provided for the first 200 participants.
The forum was conducted by consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr Ganesananthan Shanmuga-nathan, who addressed the risk of hepatitis as a whole and shared prevention tips.
The forum also aims to highlight the global prevalence of hepatitis and to increase the understanding of the consequences of chronic hepatitis by conveying the fact that these viruses do not discriminate age, gender or race.
“Approximately one in 12 people (estimated 500 million) worldwide have or had chronic hepatitis.
“Unfortunately, most live with it without knowing that they are infected with chronic Hepatitis B or C. Globally, one million people die each year from chronic viral hepatitis. This is related to complications of cirrhosis or liver cancer.” said Dr Ganesananthan.
He said Malaysia had successfully initiated vaccination at birth to help curb the mother to child transmission of Hepatitis B, however, there is no vaccination for Hepatitis C but research is still on-going.
He advised all present not to ignore this disease.
“Confront it. Get Tested” was his message at the forum.
The forum was a strategic partnership initiative with Roche (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, GlaxoSmithKline, Siemens, Merck & Co and Pantai Premier Pathology in promoting a healthier lifestyle.