Justina Adeyemi, a nurse and Assistant Manager at Ultimate Health Management Services, said that having hepatitis is not a death sentence.
She spoke during a health awareness event held by the health insurance company to mark World Hepatitis Day. The theme of the event was “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, Adeyemi encouraged Nigerians to get tested for hepatitis to help stop its spread.“Hepatitis is not the end of the world,” she said.
“If someone tests positive, they can get treatment and still live a healthy and safe life.”
Daniel Abdul, who heads the Medical and Quality Assurance Unit, explained that Hepatitis B can be prevented through simple steps like washing hands and getting vaccinated.
He also advised people to go for regular testing to avoid spreading the disease.
He added, “People should not share sharp items like blades or needles. Pregnant women should also get tested early so that they don’t pass the virus to their babies.
“World Hepatitis Day is marked every year on July 28 to raise awareness about hepatitis, a liver infection that can lead to serious illness and liver cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the 2025 theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” calls for urgent action to remove the financial, social, and healthcare barriers that prevent people from getting tested and treated.
WHO also said that hepatitis B and C can slowly damage the liver and cause cancer, even though they can be prevented and treated – and hepatitis C can even be cured.
The theme highlights the need to make hepatitis services simpler, more available, and part of regular healthcare. This includes vaccines, safe medical practices, and easy access to testing and treatment.
The campaign reminds us that we need to act now to make hepatitis care available for everyone and to work toward ending the disease by 2030.
