As part of plans to tackle the spread of Hepatitis virus, the Niger state government has called for an aggressive awareness saying the current figures of positive cases show the burden is high.
While disclosing that out of 20,000 people that were tested for hepatitis B in the state, 7.5% tested positive, the government said it is collaborating with the federal government and development partners to provide free HIV and viral hepatitis testing services for pregnant women advancing the triple elimination of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B and C.
Addressing Journalists as part of activities to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Bagana said the virus is preventable and treatable.
According to him “too many people are still unaware of hepatitis, and this ignorance fuels its spread. Awareness is everyone’s responsibility, we must spread the message not the virus.
“In Niger state, between July 2025 and June 2026, over 20,000 people were tested for hepatitis B with 7.5% positivity; for Hepatitis C, 18,600 persons were tested with 5.4% positivity.
“Among pregnant women, 3.2% tested positive for Hepatitis B and 2.3% for Hepatitis C. These figures show the burden is high and urgent action is needed.”
The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Imam then added that, the state is committed to to ensuring access to prevention, screening and treatment across the 25 LGAs.
Furthermore, he disclosed that other activities line up for this year commemoration is free viral hepatitis B and C screening in Minna, Kontagora, Bida and Suleja.
Earlier, the Director Public Health Dr. Ibrahim Idris said efforts are non top gear from the state government to ensure that those who test positive also get free treatment as arrangements have been made to get some drugs.
Speaking in their various goodwill messages, representatives from the World Health Organisation, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Civil Society Organizations called on the people to take advantage of the free screening so as to know their status.
