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Supreme Care Health Foundation

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Understanding Hepatitis B: Prevention, Screening, and the Path to Elimination
Hepatitis

Understanding Hepatitis B: Prevention, Screening, and the Path to Elimination

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Dr. Adekunle V. Ojo · Executive Director, SCHF15 March 20242 min read

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic disease. In Nigeria, an estimated 20 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis B infection, making it one of the most affected countries in the world.

How Hepatitis B Spreads

Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with the blood, semen, or other body fluids of an infected person. Common routes of transmission include:

  • Mother to child during childbirth
  • Sexual contact with an infected person
  • Sharing needles or syringes
  • Accidental needle-stick injuries among healthcare workers

The Importance of Screening

Many people living with Hepatitis B do not know they are infected because symptoms may not appear for years. This is why screening is so critical. Early detection allows for monitoring of liver health, timely initiation of antiviral treatment, and prevention of transmission to others.

Our free HBsAg screening program has tested over 20,000 individuals across communities in Plateau State.

Vaccination — Our Strongest Tool

The Hepatitis B vaccine is safe, effective, and provides over 95% protection against infection. SCHF advocates for and supports adult vaccination campaigns in partnership with health facilities and community leaders.

The Path to Elimination

Nigeria has committed to the WHO global goal of eliminating Hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030. Achieving this goal requires universal birth dose vaccination, expanded screening coverage, and increased access to treatment.

Supreme Care Health Foundation is proud to be part of this national effort. Through our programs, we are not just treating a disease — we are building a future where no Nigerian child is born with Hepatitis B.