As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the World Hepatitis Day, the Federal Government has raised concerns over the economic burden of the disease, adding that it costs the country between N13.3 trillion to N17.9 trillion annually.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate disclosed on Monday, while briefing the media to commemorate the 2025 World Hepatitis Day in Abuja.
Pate who was represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, also disclosed that over 8.1% of the Nigerian population was infected with Hepatitis B, and despite the availability of vaccination and treatment, over 90% of those infected were undiagnosed and unknowingly transmit the virus to others, including children.
“Symptoms are often misdiagnosed as malaria. Conditions such as fever, fatigue, and malaise are typically treated with self-medication, while the virus silently damages the liver and may progress to liver failure or cancer. Tragically, 4,252 Nigerians die each year from liver cancer caused by untreated hepatitis.
“Approximately 20 million Nigerians are living with viral hepatitis, with 18.2 million affected by Hepatitis B and 2.5 million by Hepatitis C. Tragically, 4,252 Nigerians die annually from liver cancer caused by untreated hepatitis”, he said.
The Minister further informed that the government had launched “Project 365,” a nationwide screening, diagnosis, and treatment campaign aimed at eliminating Hepatitis C and halting the transmission of Hepatitis B by 2030.
“The Ministry is also working to increase budgetary support for hepatitis programs, establish the Viral Elimination Fund (VEF), and provide tax incentives and regulatory reforms to support domestic production of hepatitis medications”, he said.
On his part, Acting Country Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Alex Gasasira revealed that in the WHO African Region, more than 70 million people live with chronic hepatitis B or C, yet fewer than 1 in 10 have received a diagnosis or treatment.
Represented by Dr. Mya Ngon, he emphasized that Nigeria bore a significant burden of hepatitis, with 325,000 new hepatitis B and C infections recorded in 2022, ranking third worldwide in hepatitis prevalence.
He however, commended Nigeria’s ongoing implementation of the triple elimination initiative, which aims to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and STIs.
He also praised the government’s plan to reduce treatment costs, promote local production, and prioritize nationwide screening.
Gasasira urged Nigeria to ensure hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination within 24 hours of delivery, integrate testing and treatment into primary health care services, combat stigma and misinformation, secure sustainable domestic financing, and protect the rights of those living with hepatitis.
“We have the knowledge, we have the tools, what we need now is the will. Together, we can break hepatitis down. Together, we can build a Nigeria and an Africa where hepatitis no longer determines one’s fate”, he said.
Speaking on the newly launched project, National Coordinator of National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, explained that “Project 365,” was a campaign to combat Hepatitis B and C in Nigeria.
He added that it aims to screen, diagnose, and treat hepatitis in every community and constituency across the country.
“We are working closely with the National Assembly to reach every constituency, and with the National Transportation Agency to pass the right information on hepatitis B and C.
“The mode of transmission can be through sex, blood contact, or contact with infected body fluids, so we need to be careful and take necessary precautions”, he said.
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