Transmission from hepatitis B infected mother to child, unsafe blood transfusion, hazardous uses of medical equipment, including syringes, are major risk factors for spreading hepatitis in Bangladesh, according to experts.

Speaking at a discussion, they also said poor knowledge about hepatitis, lack of awareness in testing and treatment options, misinformation, stigmatisation and discrimination against infected people are obstacles to eliminating the viral disease.

National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh, World Hepatitis Alliance and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine jointly organised the programme participated by local and international experts in the field at The Daily Star Centre on Friday.

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National Liver Foundation founder professor Mohammad Ali said Bangladesh has a plan for eliminating the hepatitis virus by 2030.

He said about 10 million people in Bangladesh were living with viral hepatitis and it was causing 20,000 deaths annually. “Hepatitis is a major cause of liver cancer, the 3rd cause of cancer death in Bangladesh.”

Hepatology Society, Bangladesh’s general secretary Prof Shahinul Alam said the unsafe blood transfusions by unskilled people bear a major risk for Hepatitis infection.

He also said professional blood donors are among the vulnerable for easily getting infected and spreading the virus.

Dhaka Medical College Hospital Hepatology department head Dr Faruque Ahmed said the Hepatitis virus causes chronic infections in the liver as vaccinations and testing are the major safety and prevention mechanism.

He said that all the infants at birth, children under 6 years, dialysis patients, blood donors, surgical & dental staff, nurses, people engaged in hazardous work coming into contact with blood & blood products, sex workers, must be prioritised in vaccinations.

Also read: Hepatitis B spread in under-5 children lowest in decades: WHO

Hepatitis B virus transmission from Hepatitis B infected mother to her child is the most common way of transmission of hepatitis B virus, every pregnant woman to be tested for Hepatitis B virus & all children should be vaccinated within 24 hours of birth (Birth dose) followed by more two doses, said Dr Golam Azam, Associate professor of BIRDEM General Hospital.

Professor Syed Alamgir Safwath of Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College in Sylhet said many hospitals and health facilities in the county lack standard blood screening and pre-operative hygiene posing risks for spreading Hepatitis.

Situation in Rohingya camps alarming

Bangladesh Armed Forces former director-general of medical services Major General (retired) Rabiul Hossain said the prevalence of Hepatitis in the Rohingya community in Bangladeshi refugee camps is alarming.

He said the study of the National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh found that 11 per cent of over  1 million Rohingya people are infected with Hepatitis C.