A public health expert has called for increased awareness, early testing, vaccination, and access to treatment as the world commemorates World Hepatitis Day 2026.
A Professor of Community Medicine at the College of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Professor Idris Sulaiman, made the call while speaking to journalists to mark the annual observance on July 28.
Professor Sulaiman said about 300 million people worldwide are living with viral hepatitis, while 1.3 million deaths are recorded annually from hepatitis-related complications.
He explained that World Hepatitis Day is observed to raise awareness, expand access to testing and treatment, and accelerate efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis.
The medical expert noted that Hepatitis B and C remain major causes of liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer in Nigeria, with millions of people unaware of their infection due to low awareness, stigma, and limited access to healthcare.
Professor Sulaiman urged governments and health authorities to make hepatitis services, including testing, vaccination, and treatment, readily available and affordable at primary healthcare centres.
He also encouraged Nigerians to know their hepatitis status through regular screening and ensure children receive the recommended hepatitis vaccination at birth and during routine immunisation.
According to him, Hepatitis B can be effectively managed, while Hepatitis C is curable with available antiviral medicines.
He further stressed the importance of safe blood transfusion, safe injection practices, good hygiene, and responsible sexual behaviour in preventing transmission.
Professor Sulaiman also called for an end to the stigma associated with hepatitis, describing it as a medical condition rather than a moral issue, and urged government, healthcare workers, the media, civil society organisations, and communities to work together to improve access to care and public education.
The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.”