The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed that no fewer than 20 million Nigerians are living with hepatitis B, C, or both without knowing their status.
Speaking in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the Borno WHO state coordinator said the disease can progress silently to liver damage if left untreated.
He explained that when people are unaware of their status, they are at risk of severe consequences, including liver cancer, cirrhosis, and death.
According to him, 80 per cent of people infected with the disease are unaware of their status, citing “the statistics are alarming.”
Audu was represented by the WHO Public Health Officer, Aisha Kadai, who disclosed that the WHO has launched a global strategy to reduce new infections by 90% and deaths by 65% by 2030.
He said in Borno, the WHO has collaborated with the state government to raise awareness and provide free testing and vaccination.
Only 36% of people infected with hepatitis C are diagnosed, while just 20% receive curative treatment. The five-year survival rate for liver cancer is a mere 20%.
Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, and even death if left untreated. The high prevalence of the disease in Nigeria is attributed to limited access to healthcare, poor sanitation, and inadequate vaccination coverage.
As the world marks World Hepatitis Day on July 28, the need for increased efforts to combat the spread of the disease becomes more pressing.
WHO has urged the government and other stakeholders to scale up efforts to provide free screening, vaccination, and treatment services to affected communities.
“Public awareness campaigns are also crucial to educating people about the risks and prevention methods.
“The international community must support Nigeria’s efforts to combat this epidemic,” he said.
Also speaking, the Borno Commissioner of Health and Human Resources, Prof. Baba Malum Gana, has reiterated the state government’s commitment to combating hepatitis through collaborative efforts with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners.
According to Prof. Gana, the government will prioritise creating awareness among the public as a crucial step in the fight against hepatitis.
“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.
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