Hepatitis B is becoming a major health concern in the country. According to this year’s annual health bulletin, the Thimphu National referral hospital alone saw over 700 cases of hepatitis B last year. And it is increasing.
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We don’t know how long to treat because you have to keep giving medicines. For every course of medicines, it will cost the government a huge amount.”
Dr. Ugen Dophu
Director General,
Department of Medical Services
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Hepatitis B is an infectious viral inflammatory illness of liver. The disease can be contracted through unprotected sex with multiple partners, through blood transfusion and sharing of needles contaminated with Hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B is as dangerous as HIV. But unlike HIV, only those will die who have developed severe Hepatitis virus in the body.
According to the Director General of Department of Medical Services, Dr. Ugen Dophu, 10 to 15 percent of people who are infected with Hepatitis B are chronic carriers. “Not all of them need treatment.”
Although treatment for Hepatitis B is available in all hospitals in the country, treating it is expensive.
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Study done in 80s shows 3 to 4 percent of Bhutanese population has Hepatitis B
1995 survey reveals high prevalence of Hepatitis B among the pregnant women
Health Ministry launches Hepatitis B vaccination in 1997
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To raise awareness about the disease, health ministry carries out advocacy programmes along with HIV aids awareness programmes.
Hepatitis B can be diagnosed through normal blood testing.
