By Blessing Odega
Dr Nicholas Ba’amlong, Plateau’s Commissioner for Health, says the state has a hepatitis B prevalence of 13.9 per cent and a hepatitis C prevalence of 6.8 per cent.
Ba’amlong said this on Tuesday in Jos, during a symposium to commemorate the 2026 World Hepatitis Day.
He said that studies across the state also showed that the prevalence among pregnant women stood at 9.2 per cent.
According to him, data from the hepatology unit of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in 2025 showed that the unit had managed over 600 patients with chronic hepatitis B and more than 50 cases of hepatitis B related liver cancers.
The commissioner described viral hepatitis as a major public health concern, noting that many infected persons were unaware of their status until complications developed.
He, therefore, stressed the need for increased awareness, screening, vaccination and treatment to reduce the burden of viral hepatitis.
Ba’amlong revealed that the state government had intensified efforts to improve access to hepatitis screening, vaccination and treatment through public health facilities.
He urged residents, particularly pregnant women, healthcare workers and other high-risk groups, to take advantage of available screening and vaccination services.
Ba’amlong also called on community leaders, civil society organisations and development partners to support awareness campaigns aimed at eliminating stigma and encouraging early diagnosis.
The official emphasised that early detection and prompt treatment remained critical to preventing liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and other complications associated with hepatitis infections.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening disease surveillance and expanding access to quality healthcare services in line with the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
Prof. Duguru John, consultant Gastroenterologist/Hepatologist, who delivered the keynote address, said that the mode of transmission was usually through unscreened blood transfusion, and unprotected sex, from an infected mother to her unborn child during birth.
John further said that the other modes of transmission were sharing of unsterilesed sharp objects.
She urged people to get vaccinated and ensure they use sterile instruments, practice safe sex and ensure that bloods were screed before transfusion.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Hepatitis Day with the theme ”Let’s Break it Down” is observed annually on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and promote actions to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited Deborah Coker