Fighting Hepatitis

In developing countries around the world, viral hepatitis poses a major health risk to those struggling with poverty and living in impoverished conditions. The viral infection, which can be fatal in some cases, is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water, or through direct contact with an infectious person. Unclean hands are one of the most common forms of transmission for the disease. What’s more, in areas where there is a lack of safe and clean drinking water, commonly associated with sewage contamination, entire communities are at risk of becoming infected with the dangerous disease.

The disease has a high infection rate in children, which often appears asymptomatic, causing further risk to families and communities who may not be able to detect its presence.

Poverty can be inextricably connected to disease spread and outbreak, as poor living conditions or the inability to fund adequate sanitation practices can provide fertile circumstances for the spread of disease.

Islamic Relief believes that every person has the right to a life free from the dangers of poverty. Improving health and hygiene practices is a key part of tackling the issue of chronic viral hepatitis. Islamic Relief is on the ground working with some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, helping to provide education and understanding on how to mitigate the risks of hepatitis infection and helping them to develop the best strategies based on academic research.  We also help local health services counter hepatitis by providing screening and treatment centres to help fight its spread.

By funding community-awareness, diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria are also mitigated, boosting overall community health, and improving the lives of those who are most vulnerable.

Learn more about the work we do to provide healthcare to people in need worldwide.

Please donate now and help save lives.