Speaking during the sensitisation event held on Monday, Justina Adeyemi, a graduate nurse and Assistant Manager in the Medical and Quality Assurance Department of Ultimate Health, emphasised that hepatitis—particularly hepatitis B and C—should no longer be seen as a death sentence.
“Hepatitis is not a death sentence. Anybody who tests positive would be given medications and would be able to live a better and safer life hereafter,” Adeyemi assured. She encouraged Nigerians to prioritise regular screening, noting that early detection can significantly reduce the risk of complications and transmission.
Her remarks came as part of the company’s activities to commemorate the global hepatitis awareness campaign under the 2025 theme: “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.” The theme, championed by the World Health Organization (WHO), seeks to dismantle financial, social, and systemic barriers that hinder progress in eliminating hepatitis and preventing liver cancer.
Further insights were provided by Daniel Abdul, Head of the Medical and Quality Assurance Unit at Ultimate Health, who highlighted the ease of preventing hepatitis B through simple practices like hand washing and timely immunisation.
“We should avoid sharing sharp instruments and sharp objects,” Abdul warned, pointing out one of the primary ways the disease is spread. He also touched on mother-to-child transmission, advising expectant mothers to undergo proper screening. “That way, we can prevent the spread of this virus to their babies,” he said.
World Hepatitis Day is observed annually to raise awareness about viral hepatitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the liver and can lead to severe disease, including liver cancer. Despite its devastating health consequences, hepatitis remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated across many countries, including Nigeria.
The WHO, in a statement marking this year’s observance, described chronic hepatitis B and C as “silent killers” that cause long-term liver damage and cancer—yet are entirely preventable, and in some cases, curable. It stressed the urgency of expanding access to testing, vaccination, and treatment, while calling on national health systems to simplify and integrate hepatitis care services.
With over 300 million people affected globally and thousands dying each day from hepatitis-related complications, stakeholders are calling for decisive action. As the WHO aims to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, experts like Adeyemi and Abdul are urging Nigerians to take responsibility for their health by embracing early testing and preventive practices.
In the words of Adeyemi, “Getting tested is the first step towards a safer, healthier life.”