World Hepatitis Day is being observed today globally. This day is an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO’s Global hepatitis report of 2017.

The theme for this year is “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” focusing on removing financial, social, and healthcare barriers to reach the 2030 elimination goals. The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.