…with specialists attributing it to hepatitis B
By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO
Ghana has been recognized for having some of the world’s highest incidences of liver cancer, which experts largely attribute to the country’s high occurrence of hepatitis B infection.
Dr. Robert Gish, who serves as the Medical Director at the Hepatitis B Foundation in Doylestown, United States, characterized the condition as critical—especially in northern Ghana, where the incidence levels rank amongst the globe’s most elevated.
“Ghana has recorded the world’s highest incidence of liver cancer, a condition closely matched only by Mongolia. Due to late diagnoses, this illness can be deadly. The prevalence rates, particularly in the Northern Region, stand out as some of the most elevated worldwide,” Gish mentioned during an interview.
He stressed that although hepatitis B is contagious, it can be prevented and controlled via regular testing, treatment, immunization, and modifications in behavior. The virus spreads mainly through blood and close personal interactions—not through everyday activities like shaking hands or sharing food.
Stigma and false information keep fuelling discrimination, making the crisis even worse,” he continued. “One out of every four individuals affected by hepatitis B will succumb to issues like cirrhosis or cancer.
Elevated treatment expenses impede accessibility.
Even though an effective treatment is available in Ghana for as low as $2.40 per month, people are paying much higher prices because of large price increases during the distribution process.
“The price can soar up to $50 per month at local pharmacies. This practice of excessive pricing needs to be abolished. We require direct supply routes from imports via public hospitals directly to patients,” Dr. Gish emphasized.
He claimed that Ghana is close to eliminating hepatitis B, but achieving this necessitates a nationwide effort focused on widespread testing, prompt treatment, and the implementation of newborn vaccinations.
Seeking partnerships and reforms
Dr. Gish emphasized the worldwide scope of the Hepatitis B Foundation and urged Ghana’s media outlets to collaborate in increasing public awareness.
“The Foundation interacts with more than 11,000 people each year through over 40 different languages. We require the media’s assistance to spread this message nationally,” he stated.
Transmission Hazards and Economic Consequences
Dr. Amoako Duah, a gastroenterology specialist at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, discussed the transmission risks. He stated that hepatitis B often spreads from infected mothers to their infants or between family members who have frequent close contact.
“In Ghana, vertical transmission – from mother to child – is the most prevalent. Other significant routes include sexual contact and exposure to infected blood,” he noted.
Dr. Duah also highlighted the financial obstacles encountered by patients. “A single evaluation might cost as much as GH¢1,000, whereas treatment could amount to GH¢300 per month. Sadly, the management of hepatitis B is not included under the National Health Insurance Scheme.”
Rural communities left behind
Theobald Owusu-Ansah, who leads the Hepatitis B Foundation of Ghana, expressed concern over the low levels of awareness in remote regions, pointing out that numerous individuals have zero knowledge about the disease.
“Although awareness is increasing in cities such as Accra and Kumasi, rural areas continue to lack information. In certain regions, the phrase ‘hepatitis B’ holds no meaning for local inhabitants,” he stated.
He also pointed out employment discrimination faced by those affected by the virus. “A significant number of businesses refrain from employing people who have hepatitis B because they worry about potential high medical expenses over time.”
He emphasized the critical necessity for education, testing, and fair distribution of treatments—particularly in isolated regions—to mitigate the spread and effects of the illness.
Eradication
Health professionals think that hepatitis B in Ghana can be prevented with forward-thinking policies and increased investments in public health. To decrease infection rates, enhance treatment accessibility, and eventually eliminate the virus, a comprehensive approach involving the government, civil society organizations, and international collaborators is essential.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
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