80% of 20 Million Nigerians Infected with Hepatitis Unaware of Status, Says WHO

In a stark revelation, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that 80% of the 20 million Nigerians infected with hepatitis B and C are unaware of their status. This information was disclosed by Dr. Ibrahim Salisu Audu, WHO’s state coordinator, during an event in Maiduguri commemorating World Hepatitis Day.

Dr. Audu highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that a person dies every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness. He emphasized the need for accelerated efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives. The theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day is “It’s Time for Action,” chosen to honor Dr. Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel Laureate who discovered Hepatitis B in the 1960s and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for it.

WHO has been actively supporting Nigeria’s National Hepatitis response, aiming to replicate the success of the HIV awareness campaigns which significantly increased testing and treatment uptake. Dr. Audu stated, “With one person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness, it is important that we accelerate our efforts in preventing, diagnosing, and treating to save lives and improve health outcomes.”

Hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. In Nigeria, over 20 million people are estimated to be living with hepatitis B, C, or both, yet over 80% remain undiagnosed, often discovering their condition incidentally through blood donations or medical screenings.

WHO has aided Nigeria in developing policies and guidance for preventing and treating viral hepatitis, focusing on vaccination, preventing mother-to-child transmission, blood and injection safety, harm reduction, and testing and treatment. Dr. Aisha Kadai, a WHO public health officer, revealed that only 36% of those infected with hepatitis C are diagnosed, and a mere 20% receive curative treatment. The five-year survival rate for liver cancer stands at just 20%.

Borno State’s commissioner for health and human resources, Prof. Baba Malum Gana, reiterated the state government’s commitment to combating hepatitis through collaboration with WHO and other partners. Prof. Gana emphasized the importance of public awareness in reducing the prevalence of hepatitis in the state.

“We have collaborated with WHO with the aim of educating citizens about the causes, symptoms, and prevention methods of the disease, ultimately reducing its prevalence in the state,” he explained.