Kwara State unveils strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030

The Kwara State Government has officially launched a strategic roadmap designed to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by the year 2030. The initiative, themed “Let’s Break It It Down,” was unveiled in Ilorin and aims to bolster efforts in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and raising public awareness about the disease.

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Viral hepatitis remains a silent killer in our communities. Recent data indicates that Nigeria accounts for approximately 15 per cent of the global burden of Hepatitis B, with an estimated 20 million Nigerians living with chronic Hepatitis B or C infection.

Dr. Amina El-Imam, the Commissioner for Health, highlighted the launch as a crucial step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and achieving Universal Health Coverage in the state. She noted that viral hepatitis remains a "silent killer," and pointed out that Nigeria carries a significant portion of the global burden, with an estimated 20 million people living with chronic Hepatitis B or C infections.

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The burden of the disease should not be viewed as a reason for despair but as a call for stronger and more coordinated action.

El-Imam emphasized that many individuals in Kwara may be unaware of their infection status, placing them at risk of severe complications like liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. She urged that the disease's prevalence should not lead to despair but should instead galvanize stronger, coordinated action. The roadmap serves as a blueprint to align the state's response with the World Health Organization's global elimination targets for 2030.

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The roadmap is not a standalone document but an operational extension of the ‘Kwara Model’ of health system strengthening, designed to align our response with the WHO’s 2030 elimination targets.

These global targets include diagnosing 90% of individuals living with viral hepatitis and ensuring 80% of those eligible receive treatment. To achieve this, Kwara State plans to intensify screening programs, link infected persons to care, and scale up Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The strategy also involves integrating hepatitis screening and care into existing primary healthcare centers, maternal and child health services, and HIV/TB clinics. Decentralizing care through the state's network of primary health centers and general hospitals will enhance accessibility for residents. Furthermore, a robust surveillance system will be established to monitor disease incidence, prevalence, and treatment outcomes, ensuring data-driven decision-making.

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This will ensure that our decisions are driven by data rather than assumptions.