DHAKA, July 28, 2026 (BSS) - The World Hepatitis Day is being observed today 
across the world aims to raise global awareness for the elimination of viral 
hepatitis.

The World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), an international non-governmental 
organisation, has taken initiative to observe the day from July 28, 2008.

The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged World Hepatitis Day in 2011, 
and the day is being observed every year on July 28.

The day is being observed across the country amid befitting programmes and 
pledges like other countries in the world.

To mark the day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given a message calling 
for a coordinated approach to build hepatitis free Bangladesh through 
enhancing massive awareness, prevention, diagnosis of disease in primary 
stage and ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare.

The present government is continuously implementing various initiatives to 
ensure extension of specialized healthcare, dissemination of technology-based 
healthcare facilities and healthcare safety for under-privileged people, the 
PM said in his message.
 
The official theme of the World Hepatitis Day 2026 is "Hepatitis: Let's break 
it down," focusing on removing barriers to care, stopping stigma, and ending 
misinformation.

At the same time, the day also highlighted the importance of prevention, 
diagnosis and treatment facilities for all by eliminating panic and social 
barriers on the diseases.

Nobelist Baruch S. Blumberg, a U.S research physician who discovered an 
antigen that provokes an antibody response against hepatitis B, developed a 
diagnosis system of the diseases and introduced vaccination.

To acknowledge his contribution in medical science, the World Hepatitis Day 
is being observed on his birthday on July 28.

According to the WHO, nearly one crore people in Bangladesh are suffering 
from hepatitis B and C while 20,000 people unofficially die every year of 
hepatitis in the country.

The most concerning reason for hepatitis is that nine out of 10 people are 
totally unaware that they are carrying hepatitis B and C virus. 
Hepatitis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and 
chronic disease with approximately 1.34 million lives lost every year.

Hepatitis can cause inflammation of the liver both acutely and chronically, 
and can be fatal. In some countries, hepatitis B is the most common cause of 
cirrhosis and may also cause liver cancer.