DHAKA, July 28, 2025 (BSS) - World Hepatitis Day was observed in the country today along with the countries across the globe.
 
The day has been observed annually to raise awareness about hepatitis since July 28, 2008, when the global initiative was first undertaken by the World Hepatitis Alliance. The aim is to educate people worldwide about the disease, its prevention and treatment.
 
In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized World Hepatitis Day as one of its 11 official global public health campaigns. Since then, July 28 has been observed worldwide each year to highlight the threat of viral hepatitis.
 
Like other countries, Bangladesh observed the day with various awareness and advocacy programmes. This year’s theme is: “Let’s Break It Down”.
 
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has issued a message marking the day.
 
He called upon all government and non-government institutions and organizations, media, guardians and conscious civil society to come forward in preventing the silent killer hepatitis.
 
He said this year’s theme of the day “Let's break it down” is significant in achieving the goal of eliminating hepatitis.
 
Prof Yunus said liver diseases in Bangladesh are becoming serious day by day due to ignorance about the diseases as well as not receiving timely treatment and various existing superstitions.
 
According to reports from various national and international organizations, about 4.4 percent of the population of Bangladesh is infected with hepatitis-B and 0.6 percent with hepatitis-C virus, he said. 
 
The chief adviser said every year, many people in the country suffer from hepatitis, liver are losing their lives due to complex diseases like cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. 
 
Hopefully, these diseases can be prevented and healthy and long lives can be lived through awareness and timely and proper treatment, he added.
 
Prof Yunus said his interim government is committed to sustainable reforms in the health sector to deliver affordable and quality healthcare to the people’s doorsteps. 
 
He said the government has taken initiatives to increase the quality and capacity of hospitals across the country and strengthen the provision of free health, family welfare and nutrition services to the marginalized population. 
 
Medical services have been launched at the district and upazila levels through mobile phones and online platforms, he said adding the government has already taken various programmes to implement the goal of eliminating hepatitis worldwide by 2030. 
 
He said there is no alternative to the concerted efforts of everyone to achieve this goal. 
 
Various initiatives have been taken with the goal of eliminating hepatitis. Activities were focused on educating people about liver diseases, countering myths and misinformation, and encouraging timely and proper medical treatment. 
 
Every year in Bangladesh, many people lose their lives to serious liver conditions such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. However, with increased awareness and timely intervention, these diseases are largely preventable.
 
World Hepatitis Day is one of the 11 official global public health campaigns endorsed by the WHO.
 
Initially, the World Hepatitis Alliance, in collaboration with patient groups, declared May 19 as World Hepatitis Day in 2008. However, in May 2010, during the 63rd World Health Assembly, a resolution was adopted that officially endorsed July 28 as World Hepatitis Day. This date was chosen in honor of Nobel Laureate Dr. Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered the Hepatitis B virus and was born on July 28.
 
The resolution aimed to enhance global awareness about viral hepatitis as a serious public health concern and to encourage member states to strengthen prevention and control efforts.
 
Today, World Hepatitis Day has been observed in more than 100 countries through events such as free screening, poster campaigns, demonstrations, concerts, talk shows, flash mobs, and vaccination drives. 
 
The WHO and the World Hepatitis Alliance jointly publish detailed reports each year documenting global activities held on the occasion.