The Kwara State Government has announced plans to begin free hepatitis screening across all 16 Local Government Areas of the state, as part of efforts to combat the disease and mark the 2025 World Hepatitis Day.

Dr Amina El-Imam, the State Commissioner for Health, said this known during a news conference in Ilorin on Monday.

She explained that the 2025 theme, “Let’s Break It Down,” was a call for greater awareness, clarity, and action against viral hepatitis.

“It reminds us of the urgent need to demystify hepatitis, debunk myths, and dismantle barriers preventing access to testing and treatment,” she said.

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El-Imam noted that hepatitis, particularly types B and C, remained a major public health challenge in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.

According to her, these infections can lead to serious complications such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.

Citing World Health Organisation (WHO) data, she stated that hepatitis-related liver diseases claimed about 1.1 million lives globally each year.

She emphasised that early diagnosis, vaccination, and timely treatment were essential in preventing hepatitis-related illnesses and deaths.

“Many people remain undiagnosed due to limited access to testing and low public awareness,” she said.

She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, in alignment with Nigeria’s National Viral Hepatitis Strategic Plan and WHO’s global targets.

(NAN)