WORLD HEPATITIS DAY: FIRST LADY URGES NIGERIANS TO BREAK STIGMA, EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE

WORLD HEPATITIS DAY: FIRST LADY URGES NIGERIANS TO BREAK STIGMA, EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE

Calls for Greater Awareness, Early Diagnosis to Eliminate Hepatitis by 2030

ABUJA — Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians to work together to reduce stigma, promote early diagnosis and strengthen efforts to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by the year 2030.

In a message to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2026, the First Lady joined the global community in raising awareness about viral hepatitis and the urgent need to improve access to prevention, testing, treatment and care services.

Senator Tinubu described this year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” as a timely reminder of the need for sustained public education on the disease and the importance of removing barriers that prevent people from accessing life-saving healthcare services.

She stressed that increasing awareness and encouraging regular testing are critical steps toward reducing the burden of hepatitis and preventing avoidable deaths associated with the disease.

The First Lady noted that collective action by government, healthcare providers, communities and individuals is essential to achieving the global target of eliminating hepatitis as a major public health challenge by 2030.

She therefore urged Nigerians to take advantage of available health services, seek early diagnosis when necessary and support efforts aimed at combating stigma associated with hepatitis.