Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to chronic infection. Hepatitis B is a problem on a global scale and Chad is not spared. The causative agent of this infection is the hepatitis B virus (HBV), this agent can cause liver damage ranging from simple hepatitis (liver inflammation) to cirrhosis and hepatic carcinoma (liver cancer).
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that of the 400 million people living with chronic hepatitis, more than 2/3 are infected with hepatitis B. Faced with this problem, the Chadian authorities are making this fight a priority, by integrating vaccination against hepatitis B into the vaccination program for children aged 0 to 9 months and eliminating viral hepatitis as a threat to public health by 2030.
Transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child is an important route of spread of the virus. For the World Health Organization, prevention of mother-to-child transmission is based on prenatal screening, antiviral treatment for the mother, newborn vaccination and taking immunoglobulins.
Screening the mother for hepatitis B during the first prenatal consultation through blood tests allows us to know the serological status and reduces the risks of transmitting hepatitis B from mother to child.
As part of the “Prevention is better than cure” campaign to combat hepatitis B, the MAGIS Foundation invites pregnant women to be tested for hepatitis B free of charge in the following structures:
▪ Health center at the Good Samaritan Hospital of Walia,
▪ Notre Dame des Apostles Hospital in Moursal,
▪ Order of Malta health center in Walia.
Moms, your baby can be born without hepatitis B! Go to a health center and get tested, after birth, don’t forget to vaccinate your baby according to the prenatal schedule, which allows you to get free vaccines!
This initiative is part of the project “For a resilient and quality health system in the country of Toumai – SiSaTou AID 12590/09/8” managed by the MAGIS Foundation and financed by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency
