World Health Organisation has called for the use of sterilised syringes to curb the spread of Hepatitis B and C.
The organisation in a statement demanded intensive efforts to ensure that infected people were diagnosed and offered treatment.
The World Hepatitis Day which is celebrated every July 28 will focus on the prevention of viral hepatitis particularly B and C this year.
The statement read “Approximately, two million people yearly contract hepatitis from unsafe injections.
“These infections can be averted through the use of sterilised syringes that are specifically designed to prevent reuse.
“A safe and effective vaccine can protect from hepatitis B infection for life. Ideally, the vaccine should be given as soon as possible after birth, preferably within 24 hours.”
WHO estimates that since 1982 over one billion doses of hepatitis B vaccine have been used worldwide and millions of deaths from liver cancer and cirrhosis have been prevented.