Speaking in a message to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2026, Dr. Soludo said greater public awareness and improved access to healthcare services are essential to reducing the burden of viral hepatitis and safeguarding public health across the country.
The First Lady, who is also the Founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, said this year's global theme, "Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down," underscores the urgent need to remove barriers preventing people from accessing prevention, testing and treatment services.
She explained that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused primarily by viral infections, although factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, exposure to harmful toxins and other medical conditions can also lead to the disease.
According to her, the five major viral strains—Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E—affect people differently, with Hepatitis B, C and D carrying the greatest risk of chronic infection, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
"Breaking the barriers to prevention, testing and treatment is essential if we are to reduce the impact of viral hepatitis and build healthier communities," she said.
Dr. Soludo further explained that Hepatitis A and E are commonly transmitted through contaminated food, unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation, while Hepatitis B, C and D spread through infected blood, unsafe medical procedures, unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing contaminated needles or other sharp objects, as well as from an infected mother to her child during childbirth.
She noted that although hepatitis may present symptoms such as fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain and jaundice, many people living with chronic Hepatitis B and C experience no symptoms for several years.
"Many individuals do not know they are infected until serious complications develop. That is why regular screening and early diagnosis are so important," she added.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to adopt preventive health practices by maintaining proper hygiene, drinking clean water, eating safe food, avoiding the sharing of needles and other sharp objects, insisting on safe medical procedures and seeking prompt medical attention whenever symptoms appear.
She also stressed that Hepatitis B vaccination, regular testing and timely treatment remain among the most effective measures for preventing severe liver disease and reducing deaths associated with hepatitis.
Dr. Soludo further called for stronger collaboration among governments, healthcare professionals, community leaders and development partners to eliminate stigma, increase public awareness and expand access to quality hepatitis prevention and treatment services.
Also marking the global health event, the Anambra State AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (SASCP) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
Representing the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ben Afam Obidike, the State Director of Public Health, Dr. Afam Anaeme, encouraged residents to become better informed about hepatitis and take advantage of available screening and vaccination services.
"By working together, we can remove the barriers driving hepatitis transmission and move closer to eliminating the disease in Anambra State," he said.
Dr. Anaeme also advised residents who test positive for hepatitis to seek immediate medical care while urging eligible individuals to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine to protect themselves against infection.
The State Hepatitis Desk Officer, Mr. Ikechukwu Abadom, said a significant number of infected persons remain unaware of their status because the disease often progresses silently without noticeable symptoms.
"Testing remains the only reliable way to know your hepatitis status and begin treatment early. Early detection saves lives," Abadom said.
He disclosed that the Anambra State Government continues to provide hepatitis testing kits for pregnant women as part of efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission and called for the expansion of screening services to ensure more residents have access to early diagnosis, treatment and appropriate care.
Health experts maintain that increased awareness, wider vaccination coverage, early diagnosis and prompt treatment remain critical to achieving the global target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health threat.