The Niger State Government has expressed concern over the growing burden of viral hepatitis, revealing that thousands of residents tested positive for the disease within the past year and calling for greater public awareness to curb its spread.
Speaking at a press briefing in Minna, the state capital, to commemorate this year’s World Hepatitis Day, the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Dr. Murtala Bagana, disclosed that 7.5 per cent of more than 20,000 people screened for Hepatitis B between July 2025 and June 2026 tested positive. He added that 5.4 per cent of 18,600 people tested for Hepatitis C also tested positive.
“In Niger State, between July 2025 and June 2026, over 20,000 people were tested for Hepatitis B, with a 7.5 per cent positivity rate. For Hepatitis C, 18,600 persons were tested, with a 5.4 per cent positivity rate,” he explained.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Imam, the commissioner noted that the infection remains both preventable and treatable but warned that poor public knowledge continues to drive its transmission.
“Too many people are still unaware of hepatitis, and this ignorance fuels its spread. Awareness is everyone’s responsibility; we must spread the message, not the virus,” he stated.
The commissioner explained that screening results among pregnant women showed that 3.2 per cent tested positive for Hepatitis B, while 2.3 per cent tested positive for Hepatitis C. According to him, the figures underscore the urgent need for sustained public education, early detection and prompt treatment.
“Among pregnant women, 3.2 per cent tested positive for Hepatitis B and 2.3 per cent for Hepatitis C. These figures show that the burden is high and urgent action is needed.”
Bagana noted that the Niger State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners, was expanding access to free HIV and viral hepatitis screening for pregnant women as part of efforts to eliminate the transmission of HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C from mothers to their babies.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening prevention, screening and treatment services across all 25 local government areas of the state, adding that free Hepatitis B and C screening would be conducted in Minna, Bida, Kontagora and Suleja as part of activities marking this year’s World Hepatitis Day.
Also speaking, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Ibrahim Idris, recalled that the government was making arrangements to ensure that people diagnosed with the disease receive treatment at no cost, disclosing that steps had been taken to procure the required drugs.
Representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and civil society organisations urged residents to take advantage of the free screening exercise, stressing that early diagnosis remains one of the most effective ways to prevent complications and reduce the spread of the disease.
