Monday, January 7, 2013

Hepatitis B can be fatal if not treated on time

In the past month, hepatitis outbreak has been reported in many different parts of world from Asia to Africa. West Nile sub-region is a region in north-western Uganda that consists of the districts of Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Maracha-Terego, Moyo, Nebbi and Yumbe. The sub-region received its name from being located on the western side of the White Nile. Health officials in West Nile have expressed fear over the persistent existence of Hepatitis B virus in the area, which has killed at least 29 people in the recent times. They say cases of Hepatitis B virus are on the rise in Moyo and Adjumani districts as most of the health facilities in the area lack the required vaccines to combat the virus.

In private clinics, a complete dose of Hepatitis B vaccine is too expensive for the locals to afford. In a report compiled by the district disease surveillance teams, at least 21 deaths were recorded in Moyo and another eight in Adjumani District between 2010 and 2012.

The health workers, however, say several more people could have succumbed to the disease, but were unrecorded because majority of the patients sought treatment from private clinics.

Currently, there is no treatment for hepatitis in the western medicine. The alternative or herbal medicine is the only good hope for hepatitis treatment. Ayurvedic product Kamalahar is proven to be very effective for the treatment of hepatitis and treatment of cirrhosis.