Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver most commonly caused by viral infections. However, alcohol consumption, several health conditions, and various medications can also cause the disease. Severe liver disease can even cause cancer.
According to the World Health Organisation, in Nigeria, an estimated 20 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus – A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis B and C are the most common, which result in 1.1 million global deaths and 3 million new infections per year.
I can't wait!
With a person dying every 30 seconds from a hepatitis-related illness – we can’t wait to act on viral hepatitis!
‘I can’t wait’ is the 2022 global theme for World Hepatitis Day. It emphasises the demand to effectively combat viral hepatitis through regular testing and treatment for the people who need it. This campaign aims to strengthen the voices of individuals impacted by viral hepatitis and serve as a call to action to end the stigma and discrimination against infected people.
Those at risk of hepatitis
- Unvaccinated individuals
- People who have an autoimmune disorder
- Children born to a mother infected with a hepatitis virus, particularly hepatitis B.
Did you know you’re most likely to get hepatitis A from contaminated food or water sources or close contact with an infected person or object? Mild cases of hepatitis A don’t require treatment.
How PSHAN is helping
Currently, most hepatitis treatment in Nigeria is predisposed to tertiary level services, which are not readily accessible to extensive parts of the population (Source: Hepb.org).
At PSHAN, our goal is to improve primary care of viral hepatitis in Nigeria, which includes providing access to testing, vaccination, prevention information, care, and treatment to improve health outcomes for at-risk and chronic infection patients.
