Experts have urged Nigerians to reduce alcohol consumption, quit smoking, and avoid other unhealthy lifestyles to lower the risk of hepatitis. Public Health Advocate, Dr Victor Otubo, called on regulatory agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure proper commercial food storage to prevent aflatoxin contamination.

Otubo also advised Nigerians to maintain healthy diets, exercise regularly to prevent obesity and diabetes, and undergo regular liver health checks, particularly high-risk individuals with underlying conditions.

Otubo told The Guardian that Nigeria bears a heavy hepatitis burden, with over 20 million people living with chronic hepatitis B or C, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), making the country one of Africa’s highest-burden nations.

Describing hepatitis as a “silent killer” that can remain undetected for years, he stressed the importance of vaccinating every newborn within 24 hours of birth, practising safe sex, avoiding the sharing of sharp objects, and ensuring pregnant women are tested to protect their unborn children.

Speaking on this year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, “Let’s Break It Down,” Otubo said the campaign aims to simplify awareness.

“Many people do not understand hepatitis or think it is too complex to address.” This theme encourages breaking down the myths, misinformation, and barriers, making prevention, testing, and treatment easy to understand and accessible for everyone,” he said.

Registered nurse at Massey Street Children’s Hospital, Lagos Island, Seyi Badmus, called for reduced costs of hepatitis screening, noting that while immunisation is free, tests remain expensive.

She urged health institutions to partner with the government and the private sector to expand awareness campaigns and reduce hepatitis cases nationwide.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Babajide Saheed, urged the Federal Government to improve the welfare of health workers to address staff shortages.

He linked better remuneration and benefits to reducing the japa syndrome, where medical professionals emigrate for better opportunities abroad.
Saheed also recommended tax reductions for health workers and the introduction of housing and car loans. “If housing and vehicles could be provided, 50 per cent of health workers’ challenges would be solved. Changing their cars every five or six years would also go a long way,” he said.

He further stressed the need for continuous training, improved infrastructure in hospitals, and effective policies to reduce medical tourism and improve healthcare delivery in the country.