Project 365: FG sets 2030 deadline to end Hepatitis epidemic in Nigeria

The Federal Government has unveiled Project 365, a national initiative aimed at eradicating Hepatitis C and halting the spread of Hepatitis B in Nigeria by 2030.

During a ministerial briefing in Abuja, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, represented by Dr. Godwin Ntadom, Director of Public Health at the ministry, disclosed that over 20 million Nigerians are currently living with Hepatitis B and C, with more than 90 percent of them undiagnosed despite the availability of vaccines.

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He noted that untreated hepatitis has been linked to 4,252 liver cancer deaths annually, while the economic burden of the disease is estimated between ₦13.3 trillion and ₦17.9 trillion per year.

“We are laying the groundwork for sustainable local pharmaceutical manufacturing through increased budgetary support for hepatitis programs, the creation of the Viral Elimination Fund (VEF), tax incentives, regulatory reforms to support local production, and legislative backing for expanded diagnostics and treatment,” Pate stated.

Dr. Adebobola Bashorun, National Coordinator of the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), highlighted the need for intensified advocacy and community mobilization to raise awareness about Hepatitis B and C, which are commonly spread through infected bodily fluids, unprotected sex, and contact with infected blood.

He advised Nigerians above the age of 21 who missed the hepatitis B vaccine at birth to get tested and vaccinated if negative.

“Hepatitis C has a curable treatment, while hepatitis B, though incurable, can be managed with medications that slow the progression of the disease after proper diagnosis,” Bashorun explained.

Speaking on behalf of General Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s Presidential Ambassador on Viral Hepatitis Control and Elimination, Adeyeye Ajayi praised the Ministry of Health, stakeholders, and partners for their commitment to ending the scourge.

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International bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and CHAI commended the Nigerian government for integrating hepatitis control into existing public health frameworks, including HIV/AIDS programs and maternal and child healthcare services.

This year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” focuses on demystifying the disease, fighting stigma, and ensuring equitable access to prevention, care, and treatment.