The wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has said the fast-rising counts of Hepatitis B and C prevalence in Nigeria calls for all-time urgency of action to halt the tide.
Soludo, who is also the founder of the ‘Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo’, noted that to date, available figures showed that an estimated 20 million people are infected by either of the diseases or both.
The Anambra first lady said over 80 per cent of these people not even aware of their status, lamenting that a large majority of Nigerians know a little or absolutely nothing about Hepatitis and its dreadfulness.
She stated this during the 2025 National Hepatitis Summit in Abuja according to a press statement she released to journalists in Awka on Friday.
She said like most ailments, Hepatitis B can be treated if detected early enough. Hepatitis C, too, can be treated with antiviral medicines but only if discovered as early as possible.
The statement read in part, ‘The fast-rising counts of Hepatitis B and C prevalence in Nigeria call for all-time urgency of action. To date, available figures show that an estimated 20 million people are infected by either of the diseases or both, with over 80 per cent of these people not even aware of their status.
‘The truth is that we got to this ugly side because a large majority of our people know a little or absolutely nothing about Hepatitis and its dreadfulness.
‘So today at the 2025 National Hepatitis Summit in Abuja, I joined First Ladies from across the country and shared the platform with experts in the field and took away vital points on what we can do as important stakeholders to strengthen the fight against Hepatitis B and C starting from our respective states.
‘At the centre of conversation is the understanding that even though we are far behind in the journey, we can still make a satisfactory headway if we begin now.
‘Like most ailments, Hepatitis B can be treated if detected early enough. Hepatitis C, too, can be treated with antiviral medicines but only if discovered as early as possible.’
According to her, the good news is that hepatitis B vaccination is included as part of routine vaccination for children in Nigeria. Adults, too, can get vaccinated at any good health facility. The vaccines are not just safe but very effective.
‘The numbers are scary. Yes. But if we don’t show adequate commitment to the campaign through education and strategic dialogues, we’d be dealing with a bigger problem in the soonest future.
‘The time is now to push back the ravage of Hepatitis in Anambra State and Nigeria,’ the statement added.