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The Plateau State Government has renewed its commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat, as it joined health professionals, development partners and civil society organisations to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2026 in Jos.
The event, held at Crispan Hotel, Jos, was organised around the theme, “Let’s Break It Down,” with stakeholders calling for increased awareness, early testing, treatment and stronger collaboration to tackle the disease.
Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nicholas Ba’amlong, said the state continues to face a significant hepatitis burden, stressing the need for residents to know their status and seek medical care early.
“We want to encourage our people to go and get tested so that when you are tested positive, we’ll know where to appropriately refer you, and if you are negative, we’ll give you the vaccine,” Ba’amlong said.
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry established three testing sites in Jos North and Jos South as part of activities marking the day, adding that plans are underway to extend awareness and testing services to all 17 local government areas.
He explained that while hepatitis vaccines for infants remain available free through routine immunisation programmes, the government is working with partners to reduce the cost of adult vaccination.
Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Dr. Duguru Mary John, described viral hepatitis as a major health challenge, warning that untreated hepatitis B can lead to liver cirrhosis and cancer.
She advised residents to insist on screened blood during transfusion, avoid sharing sharp objects, embrace vaccination and undergo regular screening to reduce the spread of the disease.
Dr. Mary called for collective action among government, health workers, communities and development partners to address stigma, poor access to care and other barriers affecting hepatitis prevention and treatment.
The Plateau State HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme Coordinator, Mrs. Mariah Pawa, said the annual observance provides an opportunity to raise awareness about hepatitis, which she described as a silent killer.
She noted that the state government has strengthened hepatitis prevention through screening of pregnant women, vaccination of newborns against hepatitis B and expansion of community screening and referral services.
Pawa added that Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s administration has supported the procurement of dual test kits to improve access to hepatitis testing in health facilities and communities across the state.
In his goodwill message, The World Health Organisation (WHO) State Coordinator, Dr. Mahdi Musa, stressed the need to break barriers limiting access to testing, vaccination and treatment, reaffirming WHO’s support to the state’s hepatitis response.
Similarly, Dr. Solomon Wekpe, Head of Office, APIN Public Health Initiatives, Plateau State, pledged continued technical and financial support to strengthen hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment services.
Dr. Ajik Magaji, State Coordinator of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), urged residents to access free vaccines available at health facilities and support efforts towards timely testing and treatment.
In his closing remark, The Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Health, Bitrus Hosea, commended stakeholders for their participation and encouraged residents to make use of available screening services to protect themselves and their communities.
World Hepatitis Day 2026 ended with a renewed call for collective action as Plateau State intensifies efforts to reduce hepatitis infections and improve access to life-saving healthcare services.
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