World Hepatitis Day (WHD) takes places every year on July 28 bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change.

WHO will focus on the theme: "Test. Treat. Hepatitis" for World Hepatitis Day 2018 events. Hepatitis is the inflammation of liver tissue.
There are five group of Hepatitis A, B,C, D and E. The disease is regarded as a silent killer because while some people do not have symptoms, other develop yellow discolouration of the skin and whiteness of the eyes, poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain, or diarrhoea.

The most common cause of the diseases are the hepatitis Viruses. It can also be caused by the consumption of excessive alcohol, certain medication, infections, autoimmune disease among others. All these group of hepatitis affects the liver. Viral Hepatitis B and C are major health challenges affecting 325 million people globally.

Viral hepatitis are also root cause of liver cancer, leading to 1.34 million deaths every year Hepatitis B and C are chronic infections that may not show symptoms for a long period, sometimes years or decades. At least 60 per cent of liver cancer cases are due to late testing and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C. Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to be addressed in order to achieve the global elimination goals by 2030.

Worldwide, less than 20 per cent of people had access to testing and treatment services for hepatitis B and C infections at the end of 2016. The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners are today calling on countries to urgently increase hepatitis testing and treatment services in order to achieve the globally agreed goals.