Healthcare cost and access to care for viral hepatitis in Ethiopia

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is an emerging threat. The economic impact of these infections is immense since liver cancer has a high fatality rate in Africa and usually affects economically productive age groups. However, little is known of the state of healthcare cost and access to care for such infections in the region (and especially in Ethiopia). Objective and Study design: the present study investigated the current status of healthcare access in Ethiopia for patients with hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) through expert surveys using a pre-defined questionnaire.Principal findings: The survey results showed a heavy burden of HBV and HCV in Ethiopia, mostly affecting the economically productive age group in the middle and lower economic classes. Unfortunately, the diagnosis rates for both HBV and HCV cases are very low. Moreover, the treatment rates are also low due lack of access and affordability. There is no well-established health insurance system in Ethiopia. The cost of healthcare is mainly borne out-of-pocket by patients. Conclusions: There is a need to increase hepatitis awareness among the general public and healthcare workers. Subsidies for diagnosis and treatment are also urgently needed. Vaccination needs to be extended to at-risk populations.