Improving access to prevention, testing and treatment for hepatitis

Testing and diagnosis of hepatitis B and C infection is the gateway for access to both prevention and treatment services, and is a crucial component of an effective response to the hepatitis epidemic. Early identification of persons with chronic HBV (hepatitis B virus) or HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection enables them to receive the necessary care and treatment to prevent or delay progression of liver disease. Testing also provides an opportunity to link people to interventions to reduce transmission, through counselling on risk behaviours and provision of prevention commodities (such as sterile needles and syringes) and hepatitis B vaccination.

WHO Western Pacific Regional Office works towards improving access to prevention, testing and treatment for hepatitis by:

• Assisting countries with hepatitis burden estimation and investment case analysis for advocacy to increase funding.
• Advocating sustaining prevention interventions for hepatitis including improving harm reduction interventions, condom usage, blood safety, safer injections and better infection control practices
• Providing technical support for strengthening the systems and improving hepatitis B vaccination to newborn, infant and for adults at risk including health care providers
• Advocating for testing approaches and strategies adapted to country context, and address knowledge on hepatitis including stigma and discrimination towards people living with hepatitis
• Providing technical support for adaptation of WHO guidelines for hepatitis testing and treatment and provide technical assistance to countries in establishing testing and service delivery models to ensure that care if given from testing, connection to medical services and treatment
• Advocating on access to affordable hepatitis medicines