DR. LUKUMAY CALLS FOR URGENT GLOBAL ACTION TO ELIMINATE VIRAL HEPATITIS
By Joseph Ngilisho-Arushadigital
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS Affairs, Johannes Lukumay, has called for accelerated global action to combat viral hepatitis, warning that millions of lives remain at risk unless countries intensify prevention, diagnosis and treatment efforts ahead of the 2030 elimination target.
Dr. Lukumay, who also serves as Member of Parliament for Arumeru West Constituency, made the remarks during a side event of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) currently underway in Switzerland, where delegates discussed strategies to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
He said viral hepatitis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming more than 1.3 million lives annually despite being preventable, treatable and, in some cases, curable through proven public health interventions.
According to Dr. Lukumay, an estimated 300 million people globally are living with hepatitis B or C infections, underscoring the urgent need for increased investment and stronger political commitment in the health sector.
“It is deeply alarming that despite the availability of effective prevention and treatment measures, cases of liver cancer and hepatitis-related deaths continue to rise worldwide,” he said.
Dr. Lukumay further urged member states of the World Health Organization to reaffirm their collective commitment toward eliminating hepatitis transmission and reducing mortality associated with the disease.
He noted that although the World Health Organization’s Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis 2022–2030 provides a clear roadmap toward elimination, the disease has yet to receive adequate priority within the global health agenda.
The legislator stressed that accelerated implementation, enhanced financing and sustained political leadership are essential to achieving elimination targets and reducing the growing burden of liver disease and liver cancer.
He also commended countries that have pioneered successful hepatitis elimination programmes, saying their achievements demonstrate that eradication is attainable through strong political will, equitable access to healthcare services and human rights-based approaches.
However, he acknowledged that major gaps still persist in diagnosis, treatment coverage and financing for hepatitis programmes, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
“There must be substantial investment in prevention, screening and treatment services delivered free from stigma and discrimination, while simultaneously strengthening technology transfer and local pharmaceutical production,” Dr. Lukumay emphasized.
He further highlighted the importance of integrating hepatitis services into universal health coverage frameworks and primary healthcare systems in order to reach vulnerable and underserved populations.
Dr. Lukumay also observed that shifting trends in global health financing require countries to strengthen domestic resource mobilization and national ownership, while maintaining strategic partnerships with international stakeholders.
He said successful elimination of viral hepatitis could prevent 36 million new infections, avert 10 million deaths and generate an estimated 145 billion US dollars in global economic productivity gains.
In addition, he called for intensified research and innovation aimed at developing new tools for detecting and treating viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and hepatitis Delta co-infections.
The MP further underscored the need for stronger collaboration among governments, civil society organizations, patient-led groups and community networks in advancing hepatitis elimination efforts.
Moreover, Dr. Lukumay urged countries to support the anticipated 2027 World Health Assembly resolution intended to accelerate global progress and renew political commitments toward hepatitis elimination.
He said such efforts would pave the way for a United Nations High-Level Meeting on Viral Hepatitis by 2028, aimed at strengthening international cooperation and sustaining momentum in the global fight against the disease.
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