WHO places Nigeria among nations with highest hepatitis deaths in 2024

The World Health Organization's latest report paints a stark picture for Nigeria, listing it among nations bearing the heaviest burden of hepatitis-related deaths in 2024. This continued struggle with viral hepatitis B and C, which claim over a million lives annually, underscores persistent challenges within the nation's health infrastructure.

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Ten countries – Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa and Viet Nam – accounted for 69% of hepatitis B-related deaths worldwide in 2024.

While the WHO acknowledges global progress, including a decline in new hepatitis B infections and increased vaccination rates in some regions, the situation in Nigeria and other listed countries remains deeply concerning. The report points to a significant percentage of new hepatitis B infections occurring in Africa, with a concerningly low rate of newborns receiving the crucial birth-dose vaccine.

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In 2024, ten countries accounted for 58% of the global total: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, the United States of America and Viet Nam.

This data from the WHO, as reported by The Punch, serves as a critical call to action for Nigerian health authorities. The disparity in progress highlights the urgent need for intensified efforts in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The stigma associated with the disease, coupled with weak health systems and inequitable access to care, continues to hinder elimination efforts. Nigeria's inclusion in this list is not just a statistic; it's a reflection of the ongoing public health crisis that requires sustained political commitment and robust domestic financing to overcome.

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Around the world, countries are showing that eliminating hepatitis is not a pipedream, it’s possible with sustained political commitment, backed by reliable domestic financing.