HEPATITIS: LAGOS INTENSIFIES ELIMINATION DRIVE, AS FREE TESTING, VACCINATION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION BEGIN
In a bold push to eliminate Viral Hepatitis as a public health threat, the Lagos State Government has commenced a comprehensive campaign on the back of the 2025 World Hepatitis Day commemoration, with the theme: “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.”
Speaking on the effort of the Government to combat the disease at his office in Alausa-Ikeja, on Monday, July 28, 2025, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described Viral Hepatitis as a silent but deadly disease, urging residents to get tested and vaccinated.
According to Abayomi, Viral Hepatitis affects millions globally and has become a silent epidemic in Nigeria. He revealed that Hepatitis B and C, the most dangerous forms, are responsible for chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, often without showing symptoms until it’s too late.
Highlighting data from the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS), the Commissioner said over 16 million Nigerians live with Hepatitis B, and over two million with Hepatitis C, noting that the 2016 baseline survey in Lagos revealed a 5% and 1% prevalence for Hepatitis B and C, respectively.
Prof. Abayomi emphasised that Hepatitis is both preventable and treatable, and in the case of Hepatitis C, curable. He said the state’s efforts were geared toward the global target of eliminating Viral Hepatitis by 2030, through a four-pronged approach: prevention, testing, treatment, and awareness.
“Today, we launch a state-wide awareness campaign using radio, TV, social media, and community engagement platforms to educate Lagosians,” Abayomi said. “We are demystifying Hepatitis and encouraging residents to know their status and take action.”
In addition, the state is offering free Hepatitis B and C screening and limited vaccination across General Hospitals, LASUTH, and designated Primary Health Centres in all 57 LGAs and LCDAs. Priority is given to health workers and pregnant women.
Vaccination against Hepatitis B, he stated, has already been integrated into routine newborn immunisation schedules, and all pregnant women are being screened during their first antenatal clinic visit to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
To strengthen treatment access, Abayomi disclosed that staff at all secondary health facilities have been trained to manage Viral Hepatitis, and efforts are ongoing to ensure affordable antiviral drugs, especially direct-acting antivirals for Hepatitis C.
On infection prevention, the Commissioner revealed that the State enforces strict infection control protocols in public and private health facilities, including safe blood transfusion practices and proper sterilisation of medical equipment.
He assured residents that Lagos blood banks are closely monitored, stating that only blood screened for transmissible infections like Hepatitis and HIV is accepted. “Our goal is zero-risk transfusion,” he declared.
Lagos is also aligning with the national campaign tagged “365 Days to Break Down Hepatitis – Constituency by Constituency”, which will implement awareness and testing activities in every federal constituency over the next year.
Calling for collective action, the Commissioner said: “To eliminate Hepatitis, we need everyone on board, from healthcare workers to religious leaders, parents, teachers, and our friends in the media. No one must be left behind.”