- World Hepatitis Day is observed globally on 28 July.
- Its main objective is to raise awareness and drive meaningful change about the global burden of viral hepatitis, which causes liver inflammation, chronic disease and liver cancer.
- The theme for World Hepatitis Day 2023 is ‘We are not waiting’.
- On July 28, World Hepatitis Day urges people around the world to take immediate action because hepatitis cannot wait.
- Its ultimate goal is to bring about a real change in policies, practices and public perception about hepatitis.
History of World Hepatitis Day
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a campaign to make the world free of hepatitis.
- The World Hepatitis Alliance was established in 2007.
- The first community-organised World Hepatitis Day was observed in 2008.
- The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr. Baruch Blumberg.
- Dr. Baruch Blumberg discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967.