Hepatitis B affects 126,000 in Bandung

Hepatitis B affects 126,000 in Bandung

BANDUNG: Some 126,000 Bandung residents are suffering from the
infectious disease, Hepatitis B, a health expert has claimed.

Speaking at a discussion on Sunday, Ali Djumhana said the
number accounts for 5 percent of the national figure, which
remains at the tolerable level of between 4 percent and 34
percent.

To anticipate the possibility of the disease becoming
widespread, the government has launched a Hepatitis B awareness
program, which includes providing free consultations, tests and
information about the disease.

Indonesia is home to around 15 million Hepatitis B virus
carriers, some 40 percent of whom are suffering from the chronic
infectious disease. Chronic Hepatitis B can lead to other serious
diseases such as liver cancer and cirrhosis.

Another doctor, Bandara Asih said many people have yet to be
fully informed about the disease, while immediate treatment is
needed to prevent the disease from causing death.(dja)