The Lagos State Government has started a major campaign to fight and stop Viral Hepatitis, which is a serious health problem.
Speaking from his office in Alausa-Ikeja on Monday, the Health Commissioner, Professor Akin Abayomi, called Viral Hepatitis a quiet but deadly disease. He advised people in Lagos to get tested and vaccinated.
He said this campaign is part of the 2025 World Hepatitis Day celebration, which has the theme: “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.”
The 2024 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that Viral Hepatitis is now the second biggest cause of death worldwide, killing about 1.3 million people each year—100 times more than HIV/AIDS.
WHO explains that Hepatitis is a liver disease caused by viruses or other harmful agents, which can lead to serious health problems.
WHO also says that around 354 million people around the world have Hepatitis B or C.
To raise more awareness, World Hepatitis Day is marked every year on July 28.
Abayomi said that Viral Hepatitis is affecting millions of people around the world and is quietly spreading in Nigeria.
He explained that Hepatitis B and C are the most dangerous types. They can cause serious liver damage, such as liver failure and cancer, and often show no symptoms until it’s very late.
Using information from the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS survey, he said that over 16 million Nigerians have Hepatitis B and more than 2 million have Hepatitis C. In Lagos, a 2016 study found that about 5% of people have Hepatitis B, and 1% have Hepatitis C.
Abayomi stressed that Hepatitis can be prevented and treated, and Hepatitis C can even be cured.
He said Lagos is working hard to meet the global goal of ending Viral Hepatitis by the year 2030. The plan includes prevention, testing, treatment, and public awareness.
“We are starting a state-wide campaign through radio, TV, social media, and community events to teach people about Hepatitis,” Abayomi said.
He added, “We are explaining what Hepatitis is and encouraging people to get tested and take steps to stay safe.” This was shared in a press statement by the Ministry’s Public Affairs Director, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
The state is also giving free tests for Hepatitis B and C and offering some free vaccinations at General Hospitals, LASUTH, and local health centres in all parts of the state. Health workers and pregnant women are being given first priority.
He said the Hepatitis B vaccine is already part of the routine baby vaccination schedule, and all pregnant women are now tested for Hepatitis during their first clinic visit to protect their babies.
To improve treatment, Abayomi said that healthcare workers at government hospitals have been trained to treat Hepatitis. The state is also working to make medicine, especially for Hepatitis C, more affordable.
The commissioner ended by saying, “We need everyone’s help to end Hepatitis—doctors, religious leaders, parents, teachers, and the media. Everyone must be involved.”
