Drug consumption contributing significantly to rising Hepatitis C cases in coastal areas, according to Dr. Amoth's statements.
The Kenyan government is taking significant steps to address the high prevalence of hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and C, in the Coast region.
The Ministry of Health is working towards including the hepatitis B birth dose in the national immunization schedule, a move aimed at preventing the disease from an early age. The ministry is also committed to ensuring prevention of hepatitis B through vaccination and harm reduction programs for hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C, heavily concentrated among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID), poses a particular challenge in the Coast region, with an exposure prevalence of about 25%. Approximately 60% of these infections are chronic. To combat this, the government is focusing on harm reduction, expanded screening, and curative treatment.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, the Director General for Health, emphasised the importance of harm reduction for hepatitis C prevention, as the disease is primarily spread through unsterile needles. He also highlighted that hepatitis C is curable, and hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable.
The government's strategy includes expanding hepatitis B vaccination programs, promoting screening and early diagnosis, offering direct-acting antiviral medications, investing in robust data systems, and raising awareness through World Hepatitis Day events and liver health campaigns.
In a bid to ensure equitable, efficient, and sustainable healthcare financing, the Social Health Authority (SHA) was launched in 2023. Hepatitis services will be integrated into SHA's essential benefits package, providing free screening and confirmatory testing, access to hepatitis C curative treatment and hepatitis B lifelong therapy, birth-dose hepatitis B vaccination, and community engagement.
The government is also planning to decentralize testing and treatment for hepatitis, with a focus on endemic and underserved counties. However, implementation challenges remain, including slow rollout and inadequate funding for the national hepatitis strategic plan.
The government is also accelerating the Triple Elimination Agenda of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in pregnant women and children. Among pregnant women, the prevalence of hepatitis B is approximately 4%, while among people living with HIV, it is about 5%.
Dr. Amoth mentioned efforts to maintain a steady supply of antivirals and other vital commodities, looking at diversifying procurement, strengthening supply chains, and increasing domestic financing to bridge funding gaps. He also stressed the importance of reliable data in tracking progress, guiding interventions, and eliminating hepatitis.
In summary, Kenya’s government strategy against hepatitis C in PWID focuses on harm reduction, vaccination for hepatitis B, expanded screening and curative treatment, and data-driven program management to improve equitable access to services across coastal communities. The government is also working towards ensuring equitable, efficient, and sustainable healthcare financing through the Social Health Authority.
The Ministry of Health plans to incorporate hepatitis B vaccination in the national immunization schedule, emphasizing the vaccine-preventable nature of hepatitis B. To address mental health concerns among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) struggling with hepatitis C, the government aims to expand health-and-wellness programs, ensuring a holistic approach to their treatment and recovery.
