The Ministry of Health, with support from its partners, is working to introduce a hepatitis B birth dose vaccine in health facilities to help curb the mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis.
This follows the outcome of a survey conducted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in 2023, which revealed that 8.7 per cent of pregnant women tested positive for hepatitis B, highlighting a substantial risk of transmission.
The Head of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) at GHS, Dr Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, who made this known, explained that this initiative was part of the GHS’s commitment to combat the health condition, improve public health and achieve broader health goals by 2030.
He stated that the full potential of the initiative would be realised if the overwhelming majority of babies were born in health facilities, and therefore, urged all pregnant women to deliver in health facilities to ensure their babies received the vaccine.
He was speaking at an event to mark World Hepatitis Day, organised by the Greater Accra Region Health Service and the Ablekuma-North Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Accra Cantonments-East, which was aimed at increasing awareness to promote preventive measures.
Dubbed “It’s time for action”, the programme aligns with the global call to elevate the discourse on viral hepatitis and drive collective action to mitigate its impact on the country.
Interventions
Dr Amponsa-Achiano explained that hepatitis B and C could be prevented through education and vaccination, noting that fully vaccinated individuals did not need re-vaccination every 10 years.
He said already, the GHS and its partners had stepped up campaigns to encourage people to get tested at approved facilties as part of efforts to step up the awareness campaign, given the steady rise in cases.
While urging health facilities to use approved kits to ensure quality results of the tests they conduct, the GHS EPI Head encouraged adults aged 20 and above to visit health facilities to be tested to know their status for the needed help.
Education, awareness
Dr Amponsa-Achiano urged the municipal and district assemblies to champion the fight against hepatitis by promoting awareness, testing, and linkage to care within their communities.
He outlined the vision for hepatitis-free districts, with a focus on community awareness, accessible testing and comprehensive care.
He also advised against the use of unauthorised herbal preparations to treat the ailment as that had dire health implications. The EPI GHS head admitted that the cost involved in accessing medications for hepatitis was quite high, and gave the assurance that the ministry would work with the Africa Medical Suppliers Platform and other partners to facilitate access to affordable hepatitis medications.
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