العربية 
Sana’a – The Department of Community and Family Medicine at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Science and Technology (UST), organized an awareness event on Tuesday to mark World Hepatitis Day under the slogan: “Simple Steps to Eliminate Hepatitis.”
At the opening of the event, held at the College of Medicine, Dean of the College, Dr. Abdullah Al-Makhlafi, emphasized the importance of intensifying awareness efforts to combat viral hepatitis. He noted that health awareness represents the first line of defense against the spread of the disease by promoting a culture of prevention and encouraging vaccination and early screening, thereby contributing to community protection and the achievement of public health goals.
The event aimed to raise community awareness of the risks associated with viral hepatitis, introduce preventive measures, highlight the importance of early detection, and showcase local and global efforts to eliminate the disease by 2030.
During the event, Dr. Doaa Mutahar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, delivered an awareness lecture in which she discussed the causes of viral hepatitis transmission, its symptoms, routes of infection, and methods of prevention. She also reviewed the key factors contributing to the spread of the disease.
Dr. Doaa Mutahar presented a number of health recommendations and preventive guidelines aimed at reducing the spread of the disease and preventing its complications.
She pointed out that Yemen lacks accurate official statistics on the prevalence of viral hepatitis, despite hospitals receiving large numbers of patients suffering from disease-related complications. She further explained that Yemen is among 38 countries worldwide where hepatitis B and C are prevalent, underscoring the need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance programs, expand screening and diagnostic services, and enhance public awareness regarding prevention and early detection.
Dr. Mutahar also noted that the World Health Organization is observing World Hepatitis Day 2026 under the theme: “Let’s break down the barriers that prevent people from accessing lifesaving hepatitis services.” She stressed that this theme highlights the importance of removing obstacles that hinder access to screening, diagnosis, and treatment services, thereby supporting the global goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
The event reflects UST’s commitment to its community responsibility and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences’ dedication to promoting health awareness, actively participating in global health observances, and fostering a culture of prevention among students and members of the wider community.
The event was attended by the vice deans of the College of Medicine, heads of academic departments, program coordinators, faculty members, and a number of medical students.
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