Drug use driving high hepatitis C rates at the Coast, says Dr Amoth

Director General of Health Dr Patrick Amoth hands over to new Health CS Aden Duale at Afya House on April 1, 2025. [Standard, Kanyiri Wahito] The government has decried a hepatitis disease burden, with People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) fuelling the infection, particularly in the Coast region. The Ministry of Health says the national prevalence of hepatitis B is three percent, with about five percent among people living with HIV and approximately four percent among pregnant women. Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth said hepatitis C is heavily concentrated among PWIDs, with Coast reporting an exposure prevalence of 25 percent. He said that 60 percent of the disease is among the chronic infections. In a speech during the World Hepatitis Day held at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa County on Monday, Dr Amoth said the numbers were alarming and called for action. Present was Mombasa County executive committee (CEC) member Dr. Swabah Omar, among others. "Hepatitis C is heavily concentrated among PWID, with the Coast region, including Mombasa, reporting exposure prevalence as high as about 25 percent, of which close to 60 percent are chronic infections," he noted. "These numbers are alarming, especially considering that hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable while hepatitis C is curable," he added. He said the ministry was committed to ensuring prevention of hepatitis B by use of vaccination and harm reduction programs for hepatitis C. Dr Amoth said the government will decentralise testing and treatment with a focus on endemic and underserved counties. "The ministry is working towards inclusion of the hepatitis B birth dose in the national immunisation schedule. Every Kenyan must have access to hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment services," he noted. He said the government will accelerate the Triple Elimination Agenda of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in pregnant women and children to counter the disease. "Since 2023, the government launched the Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure that healthcare financing is equitable, efficient, and sustainable. As the Director General for Health, I affirm that hepatitis services will be integrated into SHA's essential benefits package,' he said. He said this will allow for free screening and confirmatory testing, access to hepatitis C curative treatment and hepatitis B lifelong therapy, birth-dose hepatitis B vaccination when available, and community engagement to combat stigma and discrimination and drive demand. Dr. Amoth noted that efforts are underway to maintain a steady supply of antivirals and other vital commodities, adding that the ministry was looking at diversifying procurement, strengthening supply chains, and increasing domestic financing to bridge funding gaps. He also said the ministry will strengthen surveillance and data systems to drive accountability and progress. "Reliable data is key to tracking progress, guiding interventions, and eliminating hepatitis. By investing in robust data systems, no one is left behind in the hepatitis response," he said.

Drug use driving high hepatitis C rates at the Coast, says Dr Amoth

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Drug use driving high hepatitis C rates at the Coast, says Dr Amoth

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