Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-Somalia has opened an event to commemorate World Hepatitis Day in Mogadishu with a remarkable slogan of ‘Hal Nolol Beer’ (one life, liver), showing the importance of the liver to the human body.

The event also aimed to address the need to enhance access to screening and treatment to promote liver health, prevent liver diseases, and work towards the goal of eradicating Hepatitis by 2030.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, H.E Dr. Ali Hajji Aden, who opened the event, highlighted the importance of liver health for a healthy life and the urgent need to increase prevention of the Hepatitis virus.

The Government of Somalia has created the National Hepatitis Control Program for the Control of Hepatitis through creating awareness, educating the public, invitations, and announcements. The program also provides data on the prevalence of hepatitis in the country and addresses other issues related to the disease. The Minister acknowledged the progressive work done by the National Hepatitis Control Program.

“For the first time, we have implemented the National Hepatitis Control Program, which has achieved great success despite being new and having no budget. Hepatitis is a big problem in our society. We have extended this program to achieve our goal to make vaccination against Hepatitis free,” said Dr. Ali Hajji Aden, the Federal Minister of Health and Social Welfare.

Mr. Abdirahman Osman, the Director of Public Health, reiterated the ministry’s efforts in preventing the disease and urged the doctors to create constant public awareness to reduce the spread of this disease.

“The Ministry of Health has turned its attention to the eradication of hepatitis, and I urge the doctors to add constant awareness to the treatment so that our society is aware of the danger of this disease. We hope that in the coming years, we will reduce and control hepatitis,” he said.

Dr. Lul Mohamud Mohamed, the Chairperson of the Somali doctors association, pointed out the potential risks doctors and patients face in fighting against this disease. She told doctors to be very careful and take proper vaccines to prevent themselves from the disease.

“Hepatitis is a very dangerous disease for patients and health practitioners. Doctors and other medical service providers should be very careful and take the necessary vaccines against disease like Hepatitis. I applaud the work done by the Ministry and the new program in controlling the disease,” she stated.

This event was attended by the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Elmi, and the Minister of State for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Maryama Mohamed Hussein. Also present were members from both houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, directors from the Ministry of Health, doctors, and senior government officials and non-governmental organizations working in Health Affairs.

Hepatitis being a killer viral infection that affects the liver and causes liver inflammation, is a global health concern as it kills millions of people worldwide annually. The disease can be managed and controlled through taking preventive vaccines, detection at an early stage, proper medical care and other precautionary measures.