The commune of Guédiawaye, Wakhi Nane Nimzatt, hosted this Tuesday the launch day of the action plan for the prevention of mother-to-child vertical transmission of the hepatitis B virus. This event, organized by the Saafara Hepatitis Association , represented by its president Fatou Guirane, was held in the presence of the Minister of Health and with the support of the World Hepatitis Alliance. The ceremony took place at the health district, in the presence of the local prefect, representatives of the Ministry of Health and Professor Dr Seydi.
“It is a very widespread disease in West Africa. Most people who contracted it did so as teenagers,” Professor Dr Seydi’s representative explained to the many people who came to attend the event.
For Dr Badiane, it is precisely for this reason that efforts are being made to raise awareness among the population and decision-makers about mother-to-child transmission.
The representative of the World Hepatitis Alliance, Mr. Gueye, underlined the seriousness of the disease as well as the measures taken to remedy it: “Every 30 seconds, a person dies in the world because of hepatitis”, a- he warned, before specifying that Senegal experiences a high prevalence of this disease.
In this context, the president of the Saafara Hepatitis Association Fatou Guirane appealed to the authorities so that the treatment drugs, which are very expensive, be made free.
