Maldives Achieves Hepatitis B Control: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Maldives, along with Sri Lanka, has achieved hepatitis B control. An expert panel verified high coverage of hepatitis B vaccine in infants and low disease prevalence through surveys. Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, congratulated the countries. The Expert Panel for Verification of Hepatitis B Control reviewed immunization data showing consistent over 90% coverage. National surveys from 2022-2023 were reviewed. The panel chairperson, Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, confirmed that standards were met. Maldives and Sri Lanka join Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand who achieved control in 2019. Preventing infection in infancy reduces chronic infections, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. The region has 60 million people with chronic hepatitis B and 218,000 deaths annually. Only about 10% know their status, and less than 5% are on treatment. The regional goal is prevalence less than 1% among children aged 5+. Hepatitis B vaccine is included in all national schedules, with three doses in first year. Eight countries have a birth dose policy. Immunization coverage declined during COVID-19 but recovered to 91% in 2022. Dr Khetrapal Singh emphasized improving birth dose coverage, which was 58% in 2022. High home deliveries are a barrier.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Maldives, along with Sri Lanka, has achieved hepatitis B control. An expert panel verified high coverage of hepatitis B vaccine in infants and low disease prevalence through surveys. Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, congratulated the countries. The Expert Panel for Verification of Hepatitis B Control reviewed immunization data showing consistent over 90% coverage. National surveys from 2022-2023 were reviewed. The panel chairperson, Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, confirmed that standards were met. Maldives and Sri Lanka join Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand who achieved control in 2019. Preventing infection in infancy reduces chronic infections, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. The region has 60 million people with chronic hepatitis B and 218,000 deaths annually. Only about 10% know their status, and less than 5% are on treatment. The regional goal is prevalence less than 1% among children aged 5+. Hepatitis B vaccine is included in all national schedules, with three doses in first year. Eight countries have a birth dose policy. Immunization coverage declined during COVID-19 but recovered to 91% in 2022. Dr Khetrapal Singh emphasized improving birth dose coverage, which was 58% in 2022. High home deliveries are a barrier.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Maldives, along with Sri Lanka, has achieved hepatitis B control. An expert panel verified high coverage of hepatitis B vaccine in infants and low disease prevalence through surveys. Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, congratulated the countries. The Expert Panel for Verification of Hepatitis B Control reviewed immunization data showing consistent over 90% coverage. National surveys from 2022-2023 were reviewed. The panel chairperson, Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, confirmed that standards were met. Maldives and Sri Lanka join Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Thailand who achieved control in 2019. Preventing infection in infancy reduces chronic infections, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. The region has 60 million people with chronic hepatitis B and 218,000 deaths annually. Only about 10% know their status, and less than 5% are on treatment. The regional goal is prevalence less than 1% among children aged 5+. Hepatitis B vaccine is included in all national schedules, with three doses in first year. Eight countries have a birth dose policy. Immunization coverage declined during COVID-19 but recovered to 91% in 2022. Dr Khetrapal Singh emphasized improving birth dose coverage, which was 58% in 2022. High home deliveries are a barrier.

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