Over two decades have passed since the last national hepatitis survey, a gap which health officials claim has left them in the dark over the extent of the disease prevalence in the country.
According to Jordan’s Friends of Liver Patients Society, the last hepatitis study, which was conducted in 1987, placed hepatitis B prevalence in Jordan at 10 per cent.
“We are sure that the current disease prevalence is much lower than it was in 1987 due to the introduction of the hepatitis B vaccine in 1995, but we do not have accurate numbers,” said Maisam Akroush, a hepatologist at Prince Hamzah Hospital and society member.
During a “Hepatitis Awareness Day” workshop organised by the society yesterday, she said the physicians have addressed the Ministry of Health to carry out a survey, but “have not received an approval”.
Bassam Hijjawi, director of the health ministry’s primary healthcare directorate, said officials have yet to receive a proposal for a new survey, adding that the ministry currently monitors hepatitis cases referred by the National Blood Bank.
“Any case discovered by the blood bank is followed up by the ministry to provide patients with required medication,” Hijjawi explained.
Meanwhile, doctors participating in the workshop said personal hygiene is key to preventing disease transmission.
Tareq Qutob, consultant gastroenterologist, pointed out that hepatitis B is transmitted through contaminated blood and other bodily fluids, noting that dentists and barbers must sterilise their tools and accessories to avoid transmission.
Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis C virus. It is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected, according to the US Centres for Disease Control.
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic diseases, according to the World Health Organisation.
The virus is transmitted through contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person – not through casual contact.
Around two billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 350 million live with chronic infection.
The health ministry provides citizens diagnosed with hepatitis B and hepatitis C with treatment free of charge. Monthly treatment costs for hepatitis B patients stand at around JD400, while hepatitis C treatment ranges from JD400 to JD1,000, according to unofficial estimates.
By Khetam Malkawi
Jordan Times