The World Health Organisation (WHO) has identified Bangladesh among the 10 countries with the highest hepatitis C burden globally and called for accelerated efforts to expand prevention, testing and treatment services.

WHO made the call in a statement on Tuesday to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day.

The organisation said millions of people in Bangladesh continued to face challenges in accessing hepatitis-related healthcare services despite the disease being preventable and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable.

“Hepatitis is preventable, treatable and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable. Yet too many people continue to miss out on the services they need because they are diagnosed too late or cannot access timely testing and treatment,” Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, WHO Representative to Bangladesh, said.

He called for accelerated action to remove barriers preventing people from accessing life-saving hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment services.

WHO urged authorities and stakeholders to intensify efforts to expand access to hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment across the country to reduce the disease burden and improve health outcomes.

(Xinhua/NAN)