THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's mission to eradicate hepatitis B, a deadly virus that seriously affects the liver and leads to death, is in its final stages. Health experts point out that the disease spread has dropped to 0.5 percent this year. Only one among every 200 people was affected. Last year it was 1 in 100.

Hepatitis B was reported to be more than 5% in Kerala in the 1980s. The number of patients decreased because the vaccine was made free for children up to five years of age and made available at a low price in the market. It is hoped that the disease will be completely eradicated from Kerala by 2030. In the 1990s when hepatitis B was prevalent, the cost of the vaccine was above Rs.2000. Shantha Biotechnics provided the vaccine for Rs 100 in 1994-95, bringing relief to the people.

Safe injection and sexual intercourse

Improper injection methods and unprotected sex were the main causes of hepatitis B transmission. The end of the practice of sterilizing and re-using a single-use syringe played a major role in disease control. Awareness about safe sex as part of HIV prevention also became helpful in preventing the disease.

Disease spread reduced: cost of medicine increased

With the reduction in the spread of the disease, the price of the drug has also increased. Viral drugs used for the treatment of Hepatitis B used to cost an average of Rs 800 earlier, but now the price has gone up to Rs 1500. Five years ago, 8,000 doses of the drug were sold per month in the institutions in the state, but now it has reduced to 15.

'The spread of hepatitis B has been brought under control as a result of 20 years of prevention efforts.'

- Dr. M. Althaf

Professor, Community Medicine

Thiruvananthapuram Medical College