SSM to step up hepatitis B screening and prevention

The Health Bureau (SSM) on Tuesday announced an expanded push to curb hepatitis B infections. The initiative includes broader screening, expanded treatment access, and community outreach, as officials warned that as many as 7 to 8 out of every 100 residents may be infected based on existing data.

The campaign comes as liver cancer remains among the leading causes of cancer deaths in the city.

At a morning press conference, authorities outlined a series of measures aimed at early detection and long-term disease management, centered around World Hepatitis Day on July 28.

Ng Sio Fan, director of the Tap Seac Health Centre, said screening efforts targeting older residents are already gaining traction.

“We estimate that by the end of 2025, through this measure, we will have reached more than 19,000 people aged 50 and above. The infection rate among people aged 50 and above is about 6.8%. According to current data, the Health Bureau is following up on more than 23,000 hepatitis B patients,” she said.

Health officials said the hepatitis B surface antigen positivity rate in the adult population stands at 7.6%, based on the latest available survey. Chang Fong Nei, a senior technician in infectious disease control, noted that the figure is derived from a 2016 health survey, with updated results expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 following a new 10-year study.

Authorities detailed that since February 2025, hepatitis B testing has been automatically added for residents aged 50 and above with no prior record. Since June 2026, the threshold has been lowered to 40 years old. Authorities said the move is intended to identify silent infections earlier and reduce progression to severe liver disease.

Expanded treatment access

SSM detailed that all nine public health centers launched dedicated liver clinics in December 2024, and since August that year, eligible patients have been able to receive antiviral prescriptions directly at community clinics.

As of June, the clinics had recorded 2,866 visits.

Moreover, vaccination remains central to disease prevention. Health officials said positivity among those born in the 1990s has fallen to about 2%, while the rate among children under five is projected to reach 0.03% by 2025, meeting the World Health Organization target of 0.1% or below.

According to the 2024 Annual Cancer Registry Report, liver cancer accounts for 10.5% of cancer deaths in Macau, with lung, colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancers also among the top causes. Together, the five account for nearly two-thirds of all cancer mortality.

SSM also announced that it will host community events this month, including a “Healthy Community Pop-up Station” on July 18 and a World Hepatitis Day event on July 25 offering free anonymous rapid testing. Officials also urged residents to maintain healthy lifestyles and avoid behaviors that increase liver strain.