Academic Journals, Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 12(8), p. 337-342
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Hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection is a major world problem and is a key contributing factor to the worldwide incidence of hepatocelullar carcinoma, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, although hepatitis B treatment is available and effective, it is out of the reach of the common person. Many have, because of cost of treatment, succumbed to the chronic effects of HBV infection, such as liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer. In this article, we make a case for the provision of free antiviral drugs to chronically-infected HBV patients by expanding the current HIV services to HBV-infected individuals using the PMTCT model. This, when implemented, will save lives, prevent unnecessary and escalating health expenditure and ensure sustainable development.