Uganda is set to join the rest of African states and the world at large in marking the world hepatitis B day on July 28th according to sources in Uganda’s ministry of health.
The World hepatitis B day was set aside initially on 19th May of each year but the discoverer of the hepatitis virus, Dr Baruch Blumberg died in April 2011 but was born on 28th July so the World governing body of hepatitis B decided to celebrate world hepatitis day on the 28th July of each year to commemorate his birthday.
The 19th May is therefore set aside as Hepatitis B testing day in America. The hepatitis B virus was discovered in 1967. Three years before the discovery of HIV/AIDS, according to SAMUEL NARTEY QUAO, the President of Absolute Health Foundation- Liberia.
Mr. Quao in an interview told our informers that the activities done on that day of July 28th is to create massive awareness and sensitization on hepatitis B amongst the general public, testing and vaccination programmes. He also says that the day is celebrated everywhere but most countries are not aware of this celebration so they don’t do anything on that day and rather celebrate other days. According to Mr. Quao, some of the organizations that have come up to seek for the eradication of hepatitis B include Absolute health services- Ghana, Absolute health foundation – Liberia, Okyeame Kwame foundation-Ghana, and Theobald Owusu Ansah foundation- Ghana.