Deaths from four common causes of communicable diseases show that mortality as a result of hepatitis is increasing. An estimated 1.34 million deaths per year are attributed to hepatitis, based on the Global Burden of Disease and World Health Organization (WHO) /UNAIDS estimates. A further 325 million people globally live with a hepatitis infection [1].

There exists a strong link between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a form of liver cancer and hepatitis infection [2]. At the global level, 46% and 29% of liver cancer are attributed to hepatitis B and C respectively. In Asia Pacific, “Viral hepatitis is a silent killer” and our region has the highest prevalence of people living with viral hepatitis [3]. It is imperative that more disease awareness and surveillance need to be conducted.

There have been global concerted efforts to push for the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. An ambitious goal but nonetheless important as this is a major public health threat if left unchecked. The disease affects all echelons of the society, and the continuum of targeted services are needed to achieve the hepatitis elimination goal.

There has been strong emphasis on preventing, linking to care, improving treatments and enhance chronic care [4]. To achieve the goals of viral hepatitis elimination and prevent cancer deaths, we must take action [5,6].