The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified Nigeria as one of the major countries affecting global hepatitis-related deaths in 2024, as detailed in a recent report that sheds light on the ongoing challenges posed by this disease worldwide.
A WHO press release noted that viral hepatitis B and C are the primary causes of hepatitis deaths on a global scale. The organization revealed that these diseases together resulted in approximately 1.34 million deaths in 2024, with more than 4,900 new infections occurring each day, leading to an estimated 1.8 million new cases every year.
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The report highlighted Nigeria as one of the countries experiencing significant numbers of hepatitis B-related deaths.
It mentioned: “Ten countries—Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, and Vietnam—combined for 69% of hepatitis B-related deaths around the world in 2024.”
Regarding hepatitis C, the World Health Organization (WHO) observed that the distribution of deaths varied significantly between different countries.
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They reported that in 2024, ten nations were responsible for 58% of the global deaths: these are China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, South Africa, the United States, and Vietnam.
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The 2026 Global Hepatitis Report highlighted some positive developments since 2015, noting a 32% decrease in new hepatitis B infections and a 12% drop in deaths related to hepatitis C worldwide.
It also pointed out that the prevalence of hepatitis B among children under five has fallen to 0.6%, with several nations achieving their elimination goals.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus expressed that while elimination of hepatitis is achievable, the advancement varies greatly.
He emphasized, “Eliminating hepatitis isn’t just a distant dream; it can happen with ongoing political will and dependable domestic funding.”
He also mentioned that many individuals are still undiagnosed due to stigma, inadequate health systems, and limited access to healthcare services.
The report found that around 287 million individuals worldwide are affected by chronic hepatitis B or C, yet treatment access is severely lacking—fewer than 5% of hepatitis B patients are actually getting treated.
It emphasized the pressing need to significantly expand vaccination, testing, and treatment efforts in order to achieve the elimination goals set for 2030.
