The Federal Government has expressed deep concern over the growing economic and public health burden posed by viral hepatitis, revealing that Nigeria loses between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion annually due to the disease.
This was disclosed by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, during a media briefing in Abuja to commemorate the 2025 World Hepatitis Day, themed “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.” The theme underscores the need for collective efforts to dismantle barriers—medical, structural, and societal—that hinder access to care, treatment, and prevention.
Represented by the Director of Public Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, the minister highlighted the alarming rate of hepatitis infections in the country. According to him, over 8.1% of Nigerians are living with Hepatitis B, yet more than 90% remain undiagnosed, continuing to unknowingly spread the virus.
“Common symptoms are often misdiagnosed as malaria—fever, fatigue, and malaise are treated with self-medication, while hepatitis quietly damages the liver, potentially leading to liver failure or cancer,” Ntadom said.
He disclosed that over 4,252 Nigerians die annually from liver cancer caused by untreated hepatitis. Overall, 20 million Nigerians are currently living with viral hepatitis—18.2 million with Hepatitis B and 2.5 million with Hepatitis C.
Nationwide Action to Eliminate Hepatitis
In response to this growing health crisis, the Federal Government has launched “Project 365,” a year-round nationwide campaign focused on screening, diagnosis, and treatment, with the aim of eliminating Hepatitis C and significantly reducing Hepatitis B transmission by 2030.
Dr. Ntadom also noted that the Ministry is intensifying efforts to increase budgetary allocations for hepatitis control, establish a Viral Elimination Fund (VEF), and introduce tax incentives and regulatory reforms to support local manufacturing of hepatitis medications.
WHO Urges Stronger Commitment
Delivering a goodwill message, Dr. Alex Gasasira, Acting Country Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO)—represented by Dr. Mya Ngon—called on Nigeria to step up its fight against hepatitis, describing it as a silent epidemic affecting millions.
Dr. Ngon cited data showing that over 70 million people in the WHO African Region are living with chronic hepatitis B or C, yet less than 10% have been diagnosed or treated. In Nigeria alone, 325,000 new hepatitis B and C infections were recorded in 2022, placing the country third globally in hepatitis prevalence.
Dr. Ngon praised Nigeria’s triple elimination initiative, which targets mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). She also applauded ongoing government plans to reduce treatment costs, promote local pharmaceutical production, and prioritise mass screening.
“We have the knowledge, we have the tools—what we now need is the will. Together, we can break hepatitis down and build an Africa where the disease no longer dictates one’s fate,” she stated.
“Project 365” to Reach Every Community
Also speaking, Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), elaborated on Project 365, describing it as a grassroots initiative designed to reach every community and constituency across Nigeria.
The campaign, according to Bashorun, will focus on raising awareness, mobilising communities, and offering free screening and treatment. He revealed ongoing collaboration with the National Assembly and the National Transportation Agency to enhance the campaign’s reach and ensure widespread dissemination of accurate information.“Hepatitis is transmitted through sex, blood, and contact with infected bodily fluids. We must all take precautions,” he warned.
While noting that Hepatitis B has no known cure, Bashorun stressed that available treatments can effectively manage the disease. Conversely, Hepatitis C is curable with proper medication.
He emphasised the importance of vaccination, especially for children, stating that newborns should receive the Hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours, while adults above 21 who are unvaccinated should get tested and vaccinated if found negative.
Warning Against Complacency
When asked about future projections, Bashorun cautioned that without widespread vaccination and treatment efforts, infection rates would continue to rise.
“If we don’t vaccinate, more people will become infected. If we fail to identify and treat those already living with the virus, we risk further transmission,” he warned.
He reiterated that Project 365 aims to break this cycle through community engagement, early detection, treatment access, and vaccination advocacy.
