Stakeholders call for expanded hepatitis B, C response to meet 2030 elimination goal
Stakeholders Urge Increased Efforts to Combat Hepatitis Ahead of 2030 Elimination Goals
Jalingo, Nigeria — Stakeholders at a recent meeting to discuss the outcomes of the 2026 World Hepatitis Summit in Bangkok have emphasized the urgent need to scale up treatment for hepatitis B and C. The meeting, convened by the Centre for Initiative Development (CFID) over the weekend, aimed to mobilize support for enhanced vaccination coverage and treatment access in line with global elimination targets set for 2030.
Under the World Health Organization’s Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, the goals include reducing the incidence of hepatitis by 95 percent, significantly lowering new infections of hepatitis B and C, and achieving a 65 percent reduction in hepatitis-related deaths by the end of the decade. The strategy also seeks to ensure that 90 percent of individuals living with hepatitis B and C are diagnosed, with 80 percent of those eligible receiving treatment.
Officials from the Taraba State Ministry of Health praised CFID for its ongoing public health initiatives, noting that recent awareness campaigns have improved hepatitis testing and heightened public understanding of personal health status. They called for continued collaboration with development partners to enhance the state’s response efforts.
A representative from the World Health Organization highlighted the significant risks posed by hepatitis and stressed the necessity of coordinated local and global action to meet the 2030 elimination target. This official commended CFID for its role in reducing hepatitis prevalence in Taraba State and emphasized the value of ongoing training for healthcare workers informed by the latest global data.
Health institutions including the College of Nursing and Midwifery, Taraba State University, and Muwanshat College of Health and Technology committed to increasing awareness campaigns within their communities and enhancing cooperation with CFID to elevate testing and treatment levels.
The Nigerian Medical Association, Taraba State chapter, urged for broader dissemination of updated global hepatitis reports across health facilities, stating that improved access to current data would enhance clinical responses and disease management.
Similarly, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria reiterated its commitment to promoting routine hepatitis testing and counseling, noting that early diagnosis is crucial for reducing disease transmission and long-term complications.
During the meeting, Barrister Gloria, a legal practitioner, shared her personal experiences and addressed misconceptions about hepatitis transmission, stating that the disease is not spread through sweat. She called for increased investment in hepatitis prevention and treatment, pointing out that stigma continues to obstruct testing and access to care.
Presenting global statistics, Prince (Dr.) Danjuma Adda, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CFID, revealed that approximately 237 million people globally are living with hepatitis B, with two deaths occurring every minute. He also reported that around 46 million individuals are infected with hepatitis C, leading to one death every two minutes.
Adda noted that 2.9 percent of the global population is affected by chronic hepatitis B, and in 2024, ten countries, including Nigeria, accounted for 58 percent of the global burden of hepatitis C. He indicated that hepatitis B and C are responsible for over 95 percent of viral hepatitis-related deaths worldwide.
Additionally, he reported that there were about 1.8 million new cases of hepatitis B and C in 2024, with approximately 1.3 million deaths that year primarily caused by liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Despite these challenges, Adda acknowledged progress, sharing that 85 countries have already met the target of reducing chronic hepatitis B prevalence among children under five to below 0.1 percent. “With all hands on deck, the dream of attaining the global elimination target of the virus can be achieved,” he concluded.
