April 29, 2026 | SUNTV Global News
Nigeria has been listed among countries with the highest burden of hepatitis-related deaths globally, according to a new report by the , sparking renewed concerns over the nation’s public health response.
In its latest global hepatitis assessment, the WHO revealed that viral infections—particularly and —accounted for about 1.34 million deaths worldwide in 2024, representing 95 percent of all hepatitis-related fatalities.
The report identified among 10 countries responsible for 69 percent of global hepatitis B deaths. Others on the list include Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa and Vietnam.
Nigeria also ranked among countries contributing significantly to hepatitis C-related deaths, alongside China, India, Pakistan, the United States, Russia, Japan and others—collectively accounting for 58 percent of global mortality from the disease.
Despite these alarming figures, the WHO noted some progress since 2015, including a 32 percent drop in new hepatitis B infections and a 12 percent decline in hepatitis C deaths globally.
However, WHO Director-General warned that progress remains slow and uneven, stressing that millions of people are still undiagnosed and untreated due to weak health systems, stigma and limited access to care.
Globally, an estimated 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C in 2024. The report also highlighted that Africa bears a disproportionate share of the burden, accounting for 68 percent of new hepatitis B infections.
Vaccination gaps remain a major concern, with only 17 percent of newborns in Africa receiving the critical hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine.
Treatment coverage is also critically low. Fewer than five percent of people living with chronic hepatitis B are receiving treatment, while only about 20 percent of hepatitis C patients have been treated since 2015—despite the availability of highly effective drugs with cure rates above 95 percent.
The consequences are severe: hepatitis B alone caused approximately 1.1 million deaths in 2024, while hepatitis C led to about 240,000 deaths, mainly due to complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The WHO pointed to countries like Egypt, Rwanda, Georgia and the United Kingdom as examples where elimination is achievable through strong political commitment and sustained investment.
SUNTV Global reports that the health body is calling for urgent action, including expanded vaccination, increased testing, improved treatment access and stronger prevention strategies, warning that current efforts may fall short of the global target to eliminate hepatitis by 2030.
