WORLD HEPATITIS DAY 2009

That this House notes that 19 May 2009 is World Hepatitis Day; is concerned that more than 500 million people worldwide have either chronic hepatitis B or C which is equivalent to one in 12 of the global population; is deeply concerned that these two diseases kill one million people annually; believes that worldwide action is needed in order to save millions of lives; hopes that World Hepatitis Day will increase public awareness of hepatitis B and C in the UK and internationally; and urges the Government to give its full backing to World Hepatitis Day and to support the resolution calling for a world day for the struggle against viral hepatitis at the 62nd meeting of the World Health Assembly in May 2009.