This year's World Hepatitis Day marked a significant milestone for China as officials and experts showcased the country's impressive progress in combating hepatitis, a liver inflammation that can lead to severe liver disease and cancer.
Chang Jile, deputy head of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, highlighted a steady decline in hepatitis infections across the nation. Enhanced monitoring and comprehensive interventions have been pivotal in this success.
Data reveals that the prevalence rate of hepatitis B surface antigen has continuously decreased, especially among children under five, where it is now controlled to below 1 percent. Hepatitis B remains one of the most burdensome infectious diseases globally and a major public health issue in China.
Improvements in Infection Rates and Treatment
When discussing hepatitis, the focus is often on the highly infectious viral forms. China has made remarkable strides in reducing the incidence rates of various hepatitis types. The incidence of hepatitis A plummeted from 55.69 per 100,000 individuals in 1991 to just 1.06 per 100,000 in 2020. Meanwhile, hepatitis E has maintained a relatively low incidence rate of 1.85 per 100,000 in 2021, according to Li Jian from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC).
Treatment advancements have also played a crucial role. More patients are now receiving standard treatments, and the antiviral cure rate for hepatitis C has surpassed 95 percent.
The National Cancer Center reported approximately 367,700 new liver cancer cases in 2022, with a standardized incidence rate of around 15.03 per 100,000 individuals, indicating a positive downward trend.
China's Comprehensive Approach
China has adopted a prevention-first approach, integrating prevention and treatment efforts across society. This strategy aims for a comprehensive disease control system by 2030, supported by disease control institutions, medical facilities, and community-level healthcare providers.
In addition, the cost of antiviral medications has been reduced through bulk procurement and negotiations. Antiviral drugs for hepatitis B are now covered by basic medical insurance, and those for hepatitis C are included in the national list of essential medicines, easing the financial burden on patients.
Challenges Ahead
Despite these advancements, eliminating hepatitis viruses remains a challenging goal for China. Experts point to factors such as a significant population of hepatitis carriers, limited capacity of grassroots medical services, social stigma, and low public awareness as major obstacles.
Approximately 75 million people in China are living with chronic hepatitis B, emphasizing the need for increased diagnosis and treatment efforts. Achieving the WHO's 2030 targets requires China to enhance its healthcare infrastructure and improve public health strategies.
Leaders like Zhang Wenhong and Wang Yu stress the importance of grassroots medical services, multidisciplinary cooperation, and early liver cancer monitoring to sustain and build upon the progress made.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
