World Hepatitis Day is celebrated every 28th of July. According to a survey conducted by the solidarity action of youth for community development (ASOJEDEC), 90% of Kinois are unaware of the existence of viral hepatitis. On the occasion of this day, Dr. Tshamala organized a press conference on the evolution of this pathology in the DRC, this Sunday at the Congo River Kinshasa hotel.In his speech, Dr. David Tshiawu distinguished five types of hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. But the most common are B and C, he said. And viral hepatitis is an ignored disease, but one that kills more than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

And according to medical sources, hepatitis is the seventh leading cause of death in the world and 1.4 million deaths a year, including 4000 deaths per day. In the meantime, 400 million people are living with the hepatitis virus; 6 to 10 million infections a year. And for lack of awareness, only 5% of people affected know their serological status.

Hence, a wake-up call launched today to decision makers, community leaders and partners to be able to commit to eliminate this disease by 2030.

According to Dr. Bernard Bossiky, hepatitis and HIV have the same mode of transmission.

During this conference, it was revealed that Egypt would be willing to help the DRC as it does for several African countries in the fight against viral hepatitis. But on one condition that the DRC manifests the will to be helped.

To do this, it is important to have viable statistics to support. However, the data available to the DRC are still embryonic, fragmentary, says Dr. Pascal Tshiamala.

Only a high awareness and good care can solve this lack of statistics.

Nadine FULA