Nigeria has been identified as one of the countries with the highest impact on global hepatitis-related fatalities, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting ongoing challenges in tackling the disease.
The global health body revealed that hepatitis B and C infections continue to rank among the leading causes of liver-related deaths worldwide, responsible for about 1.34 million deaths in 2024, with an estimated 4,900 new infections occurring daily.
Focusing on hepatitis B, the WHO said a handful of countries account for a significant proportion of deaths.
“Ten countries Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa and Viet Nam accounted for 69% of hepatitis B-related deaths worldwide in 2024,” the organization stated.
Nigeria also featured among countries contributing heavily to hepatitis C mortality figures, although cases are more geographically spread.
“In 2024, ten countries accounted for 58% of the global total: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, South Africa, the United States of America and Viet Nam,” the report added.
While the burden remains high, the 2026 Global Hepatitis Report recorded gradual improvements since 2015, including a 32 per cent drop in new hepatitis B infections and a 12 per cent decline in hepatitis C deaths.
The WHO further noted progress in reducing infection rates among young children.
“Hepatitis B prevalence among children under five has dropped to 0.6%, with several countries already achieving elimination targets,” the report said.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, said eradicating hepatitis is within reach but requires sustained effort.
“Eliminating hepatitis is not a pipe dream; it’s possible with sustained political commitment, backed by reliable domestic financing,” he said.
He cautioned that a large number of people remain undiagnosed due to stigma, fragile healthcare systems, and limited access to testing and treatment.
“Many people living with hepatitis are unaware of their condition, which continues to drive transmission and delay access to care,” he added.
The report estimates that about 287 million people are living with chronic hepatitis B or C globally, with treatment access still very limited, particularly for hepatitis B, where less than five per cent of patients receive therapy.
The WHO stressed that scaling up vaccination, screening, and treatment services is critical to achieving the 2030 target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat.