Viral hepatitis is one of the major infectious diseases along with Malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDs, which need concerted efforts from countries across the globe. It causes more than 60 percent deaths in Asia pacific region. One of the major issues is delayed testing and treatment which needs to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030. With planned strategy, the Governments have overpowered other three infectious diseases except hepatitis where death toll has seen spike in recent years.

Though almost all the individual countries in the region have been implementing preventive strategies for viral hepatitis-related liver disease, more needs to be done in this regard.

National governments, international and local community and diagnostic and pharmaceutical industries must recognise the urgency of this issue and collaborate to translate strategic plans into concrete action. There must be a renewed focus on prevention, early detection and timely referral to improve health interventions to reduce the burden of liver diseases in the Asia-Pacific region.

In this light, the International Institute for Human Development (IIHD) India jointly with Coalation of Global Hepatitis Elimination and Elets Technomedia is organising a 1st Asia Pacific Hepatitis Summit (virtual) on World Hepatitis day, 28 July. It will be a virtual gathering of “thoughtful, iconoclastic doers” who share a common interest in practical solutions to address the issue. Experts would deliberate on strategies and approaches to find the “missing millions”.

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