The Executive Vice President, Diagnostics, Africa, at Roche Diagnostics, Dr Allan Pamba has advocated for urgent and widespread action against viral hepatitis across Africa, as the continent recorded over 300,000 deaths from hepatitis B and C in 2022 alone.
Pamba, in his paper titled: “Hepatitis in Africa: Uniting for the change we need,” said hepatitis remains one of the least discussed yet most dangerous infectious diseases in the region, particularly in Nigeria, He urged governments, civil society, and private health providers to prioritise early testing, treatment and public education.
“Hepatitis is more common than people think, yet rarely discussed at home, in schools, or even in our hospitals. Every new infection disrupts ordinary lives,” Pamba said. Pamba referenced a recent awareness campaign by Roche, which highlighted the human impact of hepatitis through real-life accounts.
“Michael, a pharmacy technician from Abuja, and Mary, a retired teacher from Nairobi, were both featured as individuals living with hepatitis B. Their stories demonstrated the importance of early diagnosis and access to treatment, which has enabled them to live relatively normal lives.
“Hearing from people like Michael and Mary makes it clear—timely diagnosis saves lives. And yet, too many people never even realise they’re infected,” Pamba stated.
He explained that Hepatitis B, which can be transmitted from mother to child or through bodily fluids, and hepatitis C, transmitted primarily through blood contact, are both preventable and manageable.
Pamba said, however, without routine testing, many infected individuals go undetected until it is too late, often developing serious complications such as liver cancer or cirrhosis. He said while countries like Egypt have led the way in tackling hepatitis, Nigeria has also made progress.
“Egypt’s “100 Million Healthy Lives” campaign screened more than 60 million people and treated over four million for hepatitis C, becoming the first country to earn the World Health Organisation’s “Gold Tier” status in hepatitis C elimination.
“In Nigeria, the government has expanded hepatitis B birth dose vaccinations and continues to collaborate with civil society and private partners to improve diagnostic coverage,” he stated.
However, Pamba noted that much of the existing infrastructure used during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as molecular testing platforms, remains underutilised for hepatitis.
“It’s not about reinventing the wheel. Many countries already have the tools. What’s needed now is prioritisation, domestic funding, and stronger partnerships,” he said.
Pamba stressed the need to normalise hepatitis screening, making it a routine part of antenatal visits, school health programmes, and blood donation drives.
He also called for improved healthcare worker training and the full implementation of WHO guidelines. Pamba believe that with timely testing, affordable treatment and coordinated leadership, Africa can eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
“There is no reason for another child to be born with hepatitis B. No reason a student-athlete in Johannesburg or a young mother in Abidjan should miss their diagnosis until it’s too late,” he added.
