A Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Ilorin and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof. Abdulfatai Olokoba, has called on the Federal Government to invest in local vaccine production and expand nationwide hepatitis screening to reduce the burden of viral hepatitis in Nigeria.
Professor Olokoba, who is also the President of the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN) and Chairman of the Kwara State Technical Working Group on Elimination of Viral Hepatitis, made the call on Saturday while speaking with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital.
He said local production of vaccines would improve access, lower costs, reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports and strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly hepatitis B.
According to him, achieving the World Health Organization’s target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat would require sustained investment in preventive healthcare, including vaccination, routine screening and public awareness.
Professor Olokoba described viral hepatitis as a major global public health challenge, noting that the disease continues to claim lives despite being largely preventable and, in many cases, treatable.
He explained that this year’s World Hepatitis Day celebration in Kwara State featured free screening for hepatitis B and C at the Emir’s Palace and First Eye Medical Centre, Ilorin, to encourage residents to know their status.
The hepatologist said hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, adding that hepatitis B and C are the most dangerous forms because they can persist for years, causing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated.
He warned that hepatitis B is significantly more infectious than HIV, stressing the need for greater public awareness and preventive measures.
Professor Olokoba identified the major routes of transmission as exposure to infected blood, unprotected sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood and the use of unsterilised sharp instruments.
He also warned against unsafe traditional practices, including scarification, tribal marks, tattooing, local circumcision, body piercing and procedures carried out with improperly sterilised instruments.
Describing hepatitis B as a “silent killer”, he said many infected persons remain symptom-free for years while the virus progressively damages the liver.
According to him, patients often present at hospitals only after developing liver cirrhosis or liver cancer, reducing the chances of successful treatment.
He advised Nigerians experiencing recurrent fever, persistent fatigue and unexplained weakness not to assume they have malaria or typhoid without proper medical evaluation.
Professor Olokooba urged Nigerians to take advantage of affordable hepatitis screening services to know their status, saying early diagnosis improves treatment outcomes and helps prevent further transmission.
He added that spouses and family members of infected persons should also be screened, while those who test negative for hepatitis B should receive vaccination for protection.
Speaking on the activities of SOGHIN, the professor said the association works with governments at all levels, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions and development partners to promote awareness of liver diseases, improve early diagnosis and advocate better policies for prevention and treatment.
He also cautioned against the misconception that obesity is a sign of good living, noting that excessive body fat accumulates around vital organs, including the liver, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease and other serious health complications.
