Hepatitis B affects one in three: Official<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An estimated one in three Indonesians are
\ninfected with Hepatitis B.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Health's director general for communicable
\ndisease control and environmental health, Hadi M. Abednego, has
\nexpressed concern over the high prevalence of the disease which
\naffects about 36.17 percent of the population.<\/p>\n
\"This prevalence is even more worrying when we see that 45.9
\npercent of those infected were communicated (the disease)
\ndirectly from their mothers as newborns,\" he said, addressing a
\nseminar on the disease in Ambon, Maluku, Saturday.<\/p>\n
He said the government has embarked on an ambitious nationwide
\nimmunization effort to help reduce the prevalence of the disease.<\/p>\n
\"If necessary, immunize babies as soon possible.\"<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the immunization of newborns had proven
\nsuccessful in countering the disease.<\/p>\n
A study conducted in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, shows the
\nprevalence of babies infected with the disease has dropped from 7
\npercent to just 1.6 percent after immunization was conducted.<\/p>\n
According to Abednego, immunization programs would continue
\ndespite the recognized low nutrition level of many Indonesian
\nbabies.<\/p>\n
He maintained that the various programs currently being
\nconducted by the government to improve nutrition levels would
\nhelp reduce any side effects.<\/p>\n
\"The nutrition level of Indonesian babies is relatively lower
\nthan in Africa. But the government has conducted various programs
\nto improve this.\"<\/p>\n
Despite the high cost of Hepatitis B vaccines, Abednego said
\nthe government would continue to try and provide free vaccines at
\nvarious public health centers.<\/p>\n
He pointed out the various adverse effects of the disease
\nwhich often lead to chronic kidney complications.<\/p>\n
\"We need to do this to help improve the quality of health of
\nIndonesians.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully once we have reached a large enough number and
\nsustain it like the (polio) national immunization campaign, we
\ncan go ahead with plans for a total elimination of Hepatitis B in
\nIndonesia in 2005\". (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hepatitis-b-affects-one-in-three-official-1447893297",
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