Bukola Afeni
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on governments, development partners, health workers and communities to remove barriers preventing millions of people from accessing hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment services across the continent.
Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi made the call in a message to mark World Hepatitis Day 2026, commemorated under the theme “Hepatitis: Let’s break it down,” Janabi said eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat is achievable if proven interventions are made accessible to everyone.
“No one should die from a disease that can be prevented, diagnosed and, in many cases, treated,” he said.
Although new hepatitis B infections in the WHO African Region declined by 25 per cent between 2015 and 2024, Janabi noted that millions of people still lack timely diagnosis, treatment and care, while viral hepatitis continues to claim many lives.
“We already have the tools to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat,” he said, noting that the hepatitis B vaccine provides up to 95 per cent protection against infection, while reliable diagnostics, curative treatment for hepatitis C and lifelong treatment for hepatitis B are available to prevent cirrhosis and liver cancer.
He said bringing hepatitis services closer to communities through stronger primary health care systems would save lives, reduce pressure on health services and advance universal health coverage.
“This is no longer a scientific challenge. It lies in mobilizing political will, securing investment, and ensuring equitable delivery so that everyone can benefit from these proven interventions,” he said.
Janabi highlighted progress made across the African Region, including the expansion of the universal hepatitis B birth dose, efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, and the development of hepatitis C elimination pathways.
He said these achievements demonstrate what sustained political commitment, investment and partnerships can deliver but stressed that such efforts must be expanded and sustained across all 47 WHO Member States in the region.
The WHO Regional Director expressed concern that many people living with viral hepatitis remain unaware of their infection, often seeking medical care only after developing serious liver disease. He added that access to testing and treatment remains uneven, particularly in underserved communities, while stigma and low awareness continue to discourage people from seeking care.
He called for hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment to be integrated into routine primary health care throughout the life course, saying the approach would improve access, reduce costs and support universal health coverage. He also emphasized the need for continued investment in research and innovation to expand access to new diagnostics and treatments, including for hepatitis B and hepatitis D co-infection.
Janabi urged Member States to strengthen national hepatitis programmes, expand access to vaccination, testing and treatment, and place communities at the centre of elimination efforts. He also appealed to development partners to sustain technical and financial support to help countries achieve the 2030 hepatitis elimination targets.
“As WHO, we are fully committed to working alongside every one of our Member States to strengthen health systems, expand equitable access to hepatitis services, and support country-led action,” he said.
“Together, we can prevent new infections, save lives and ensure that viral hepatitis is no longer a barrier to healthier lives for the people of Africa.”
