KUCHING (Nov 15): The Serian Division Health Office has been proactively implementing public health measures to address the hepatitis B issue in the area, said to Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee.
The Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government explained that newly reported cases would be thoroughly investigated and close contacts are advised to undergo screening.
“Patients and their close contacts also receive one-on-one health education on hepatitis B.
“Besides, family medicine specialists at the Siburan and Balai Ringin health clinics as well as physicians and paediatricians at Hospital Siburan are available to manage and follow up with these patients,” he said.
He said this when responding to Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada during the question-and-answer session in the State Legislative Assembly today.
Adding on, Tiang mentioned that hepatitis B immunoglobulin can be given at Serian Hospital to newborns whose mothers are infected with hepatitis B as part of the prevention of vertical transmission.
The Serian Division Health Office is also actively organising community health talks among schoolchildren annually to raise awareness about the risks of hepatitis B infection.
Additionally, individuals who wish to register their wedding ceremony at the National Registration Department – both Muslims and non-Muslims – are also advised to undergo pre-marital screening.
When asked about the number of hepatitis B cases in the Serian division, Tiang said that 99 cases were recorded in 2022, 223 cases in 2023 and 76 cases as of October 2024.
“The increase in 2023 was due to a one-off active screening campaign.
“Those over 35 years were the most affected age group, with 83 cases recorded in 2022, 207 cases in 2023, and 63 cases in 2024.
“For those under 35 years, 16 cases were recorded in both 2022 and 2023, and 13 cases in 2024.
“Over the past three years, 181 women and 221 men have been diagnosed with hepatitis B,” he noted.
Hepatitis B, Tiang said, is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus, which spreads through contact with infected blood and body fluids, either through sexual intercourse, mother-to-child transmission, sharing infected needles, or blood transfusions.
“There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis B, while chronic hepatitis B can be treated with antiviral medication to slow the progression of cirrhosis, reduce incidences of liver cancer, and improve long-term survival.
“However, the disease can be prevented through vaccination, and the Health Ministry has incorporated hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns in the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) nationwide, including Sarawak.”
