“Hepatitis is Not a Death Sentence – Health Experts Urge Screening, Awareness on World Hepatitis Day

Justina Adeyemi, a graduate nurse and Assistant Manager in the Medical and Quality Assurance Department at Ultimate Health Management Services, has emphasized that hepatitis is not a death sentence. She made this known during an awareness programme organized by the health insurance company on Monday in commemoration of World Hepatitis Day, themed “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.”

In a statement released by the company’s media department on Tuesday, Adeyemi encouraged Nigerians to get screened, highlighting that early detection can lead to effective treatment and a healthier life.
“Hepatitis is not the end. With proper medication, anyone who tests positive can go on to live a better and safer life,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, Daniel Abdul, Head of the Medical and Quality Assurance Unit, stated that Hepatitis B is preventable through regular handwashing and immunisation. He advised the public to undergo routine screening and avoid sharing sharp objects, which could transmit the virus.
“For mother-to-child transmission, we strongly recommend that expectant mothers get tested so they can be treated in time to prevent infecting their babies,” Abdul added.

World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28, aims to raise global awareness about viral hepatitis—a liver infection that can lead to serious complications like liver disease and cancer.

The World Health Organisation, in marking the 2025 edition themed “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” urged immediate efforts to eliminate the financial, societal, and structural barriers that hinder the eradication of hepatitis and the prevention of liver cancer.

“Chronic hepatitis B and C cause silent but serious liver damage and cancer, despite being preventable, treatable, and, in the case of hepatitis C, curable,” the WHO noted.

The campaign stresses the importance of integrating hepatitis prevention and treatment—such as vaccination, safe injection practices, and harm reduction—into national healthcare systems, with the goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.