Medical experts want Government and Political leaders to develop the political will to tackle chronic viral Hepatitis as Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Hepatitis Day, Twenty-twenty-six.
In separate interactions with Radio Nigeria in Yenagoa, they also advocated urgent action to drive improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment for people living with chronic viral hepatitis B and C.
The theme for this year’s Day is “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down”.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver commonly caused by viral infections which include types A, B, C, D, and E), as well as other possible causes such as autoimmune diseases that occur as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol.
According to experts, some of the common symptoms are jaundice or yellow skin and eyes, tiredness and weakness, dark urine and pale stool, fever, stomach pain and nausea.
Although it is estimated that 500 million persons, approximately one in 12 people, are infected with either chronic viral hepatitis B or C globally, there is a serious lack of awareness and political will to tackle these diseases.
A study in 2024 indicates that 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C while 1.3 million people died of the disease as only 45 per cent of babies received the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth in 2024.
A senior Medical Officer with the Bayelsa State Hospitals Management Board in charge of the Azikoro Comprehensive Health Centre, Yenagoa Dr. Ayebatari Agiri says prevention, awareness and government’s commitment are key to combating Hepatitis.
A gastroenterologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Dr. Wolo Wolo appealed to the government to set in place the right policies and also subsidize anti viral treatment for Hepatitis, warning of the devastating impacts if not tackled.
World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on 28 July to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and liver cancer and the theme for this year’s celebration is a call to remove the barriers that stand between people and the services that can save their lives as Viral hepatitis continues to be a major cause of preventable illness and death worldwide.
