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Lastest News Nigeria, Politics, Business, Sport, Interview
Lastest News Nigeria, Politics, Business, Sport, Interview
By Babatunji Wusu
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named Nigeria as one of the countries driving global hepatitis deaths in 2024, highlighting the disease’s heavy toll worldwide. In its latest update, the WHO confirmed that viral hepatitis B and C remain the main causes of hepatitis deaths, with a combined 1.34 million lives lost this year. Each day, over 4,900 people contract the infection, leading to about 1.8 million new cases annually.
The report shows that Nigeria ranks among nations with a high number of hepatitis B deaths. It stated: “Ten countries Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa and Viet Nam accounted for 69% of hepatitis B-related deaths worldwide in 2024.” For hepatitis C, the burden spreads more widely, with Nigeria again listed among the top ten affected countries. The WHO noted: “In 2024, ten countries accounted for 58% of the global total: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, South Africa, the United States of America and Viet Nam.”
Despite these concerns, the 2026 Global Hepatitis Report recorded some progress. New hepatitis B infections have dropped by 32% since 2015, while hepatitis C deaths have reduced by 12%. Encouragingly, infection rates among children under five now stand at 0.6%, with several countries meeting elimination goals.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus stressed that ending hepatitis deaths remains achievable. He stated: “Eliminating hepatitis is not a pipedream; it’s possible with sustained political commitment, backed by reliable domestic financing.” However, many cases still go undetected due to stigma, weak health systems, and limited access to care.
Globally, about 287 million people live with chronic hepatitis, yet fewer than 5% receive treatment. Experts urge stronger action on vaccination, testing, and care to meet 2030 targets and reduce hepatitis deaths.
What steps should Nigeria take to reduce its hepatitis burden?
