The Health Bureau (SSM) said in a statement on Monday that it held a series of community activities ahead of World Hepatitis Day, which was held yesterday, promoting hepatitis B prevention, testing and public awareness while encouraging residents to adopt healthier lifestyles.
According to the statement, the activities form part of the government’s Healthy Macau Blueprint and Healthy Community Programme, which promotes public health through cross-departmental collaboration and partnerships with community organisations.
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus, transmitted through infected blood and body fluids, and preventable by a safe vaccine.
The campaign included a “Healthy Community Pop-up Station” programme featuring five routes covering 18 locations across the peninsula, the statement said, adding that consultation booths and interactive games were set up to educate residents about hepatitis B prevention, dispel common misconceptions and remind infected individuals of the importance of regular medical follow-up.
The programme also incorporated mental health promotion through a game encouraging participants to recognise their emotions and use the “Emotional Self-Check” self-assessment tool available on the Macao One Account app, while providing information on psychological support services, the statement noted, adding that more than 1,400 people took part in the pop-up activities, which were organised in conjunction with the Young Men’s Christian Association of Macau (YMCA Macau), Caritas Macau, the Macau Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service, and the Richmond Fellowship of Macau.
With support from the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM), the Health Bureau also partnered with the Macau Medical Association to hold a World Hepatitis Day event at the Rotunda de Carlos da Maia Activity Centre, the statement said, adding that the event featured educational booth games and offered free anonymous hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) rapid tests for Macau residents aged 18 or above who were unsure of their infection status.
Around 200 people participated in the interactive activities, while more than 70 residents underwent hepatitis B screening, the statement highlighted. According to the 2016 Macau Health Survey, 7.6 percent of Macau’s adult population tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, meaning approximately seven to eight out of every 100 adults are infected with the hepatitis B virus.
The statement said that hepatitis B is primarily transmitted from mother to child, followed by sexual contact and blood exposure, adding that chronic hepatitis B currently has no cure. Although many infected people have no obvious symptoms, the virus can progressively damage the liver and eventually lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis* and liver cancer, the statement underlined, advising people living with chronic hepatitis B to undergo regular medical check-ups, receive treatment when necessary and maintain healthy habits, including adequate sleep, a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and refraining from taking health supplements or traditional medicines of unknown ingredients.
Hepatitis B testing and treatment services are available at health centres and the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre, the statement said, urging residents who require screening or follow-up care to visit the health centre serving their residential area.
* Cirrhosis is severe scarring of the liver caused by long-term damage, leading to chronic inflammation, loss of normal liver function, and potentially life-threatening complications. – Gemini
This undated handout photo provided by the Health Bureau (SSM) on Monday shows participants being tested for hepatitis B during one of the community activities ahead of yesterday’s World Hepatitis Day.
