BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI– The Ministry of Health has intensified its call for EmaSwati to embrace regular health screening after 1 240 people tested positive for Hepatitis B from 26 422 individuals screened, highlighting the importance of early detection in preventing life-threatening liver disease.
The appeal comes as Eswatini joins the global community in commemorating World Hepatitis Day, with health experts warning that Hepatitis B often develops silently, allowing the virus to damage the liver for years before any symptoms appear.
According to the Ministry, approximately five per cent of those screened were found to be infected with Hepatitis B, while two people tested positive for Hepatitis C from about 455 people screened. Although the country’s infection rate remains relatively low, health authorities say these figures demonstrate that the disease continues to pose a significant public health concern and that widespread screening remains essential.
Speaking during Eswatini TV’s Kusile Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Mpumelelo Mavimbela, the Ministry of Health’s STI and Viral Hepatitis Focal Person, said preventing Hepatitis requires a combination of public awareness, vaccination, routine screening and timely treatment.
He explained that Hepatitis B is often a silent disease, with symptoms only appearing after serious liver damage has occurred. Warning signs may include fatigue, dark urine and jaundice, but the only reliable way to know one’s status is through a blood test.
Mavimbela said early diagnosis is critical because chronic Hepatitis B can remain in the body for up to 20 years before progressing to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver cancer if left untreated.
He encouraged all people at risk, particularly sexually active adults, healthcare workers and those exposed to blood, to undergo regular screening and take advantage of vaccination programmes.
The Ministry is also strengthening efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission by screening pregnant women for Hepatitis B and providing appropriate treatment where necessary. Plans are also underway to introduce a birth dose of the Hepatitis B vaccine to provide immediate protection for newborns.
While Hepatitis C can be cured, chronic Hepatitis B can be successfully managed with long-term treatment when diagnosed early.
As Eswatini commemorates World Hepatitis Day, the Ministry urged EmaSwati to embrace preventive healthcare by screening regularly for Hepatitis, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, adopting safer practices and seeking medical care promptly.
Health officials believe that through screening, vaccination, public education and timely treatment, Eswatini can significantly reduce Hepatitis infections and protect communities from preventable liver disease.
(Courtesy Pic)
