First Lady Remi Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Take Action Against Viral Hepatitis

Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for intensified efforts to combat viral hepatitis through increased public awareness, routine screening, improved access to prevention and treatment, and the elimination of stigma surrounding the disease.

Her message came as Nigeria joined the rest of the world in marking World Hepatitis Day 2026, a global campaign aimed at raising awareness of viral hepatitis and accelerating efforts to eliminate the disease as a major public health threat.

Early Testing Can Save Lives

In her World Hepatitis Day message, the First Lady encouraged Nigerians to undergo regular hepatitis screening, emphasizing that early diagnosis is critical to preventing severe health complications.

She noted that many people living with viral hepatitis are unaware they are infected because the disease often shows no symptoms in its early stages.

According to the First Lady, early detection allows patients to receive timely medical care, reducing the risk of serious liver conditions such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Call for Greater Public Awareness

Senator Tinubu stressed the importance of expanding public education on viral hepatitis to ensure more Nigerians understand how the disease is transmitted, prevented and treated.

She urged government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organizations and community leaders to work together to promote awareness campaigns that encourage people to know their hepatitis status.

Improved public knowledge can help reduce new infections while encouraging those affected to seek appropriate medical care.

Ending Stigma and Discrimination

The First Lady also appealed for an end to the stigma often associated with viral hepatitis.

Fear of discrimination prevents many people from getting tested or seeking treatment, allowing the disease to progress unnoticed.

She emphasized that creating supportive communities where people can access healthcare without fear is essential to controlling the spread of hepatitis and improving health outcomes.

Reducing stigma will also encourage more open discussions about prevention and early diagnosis.

Improving Access to Prevention and Treatment

Senator Tinubu called for stronger investment in prevention, treatment and healthcare services to ensure more Nigerians can access lifesaving interventions.

Key priorities include:

• Expanding hepatitis screening services.

• Increasing access to vaccination where appropriate.

• Improving availability of treatment and care.

• Strengthening public education campaigns.

• Supporting healthcare systems in diagnosing and managing hepatitis.

Greater access to these services will help reduce illness and deaths associated with viral hepatitis.

Nigeria's Commitment to the 2030 Goal

The First Lady reaffirmed the importance of achieving the global target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Reaching this goal will require sustained collaboration between government institutions, healthcare professionals, development partners and communities to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Public participation will also play a crucial role through regular health checks and greater awareness of hepatitis risk factors.

Understanding Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by different hepatitis viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D and E.

Hepatitis B and C are the leading causes of chronic liver disease and can result in serious complications if left untreated.

Many infections can be prevented through vaccination, safe medical practices, improved hygiene and early diagnosis.

Importance of World Hepatitis Day

Observed annually on July 28, World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and encourage action to reduce infections worldwide.

The campaign promotes increased testing, expanded treatment access and stronger public health policies aimed at reducing the global burden of liver disease.

For countries like Nigeria, where hepatitis remains a significant public health challenge, the observance serves as an important reminder of the need for continued investment in healthcare and disease prevention.

Conclusion

Senator Oluremi Tinubu's World Hepatitis Day 2026 message highlights the urgent need for Nigerians to prioritize early testing, embrace routine screening and support efforts to eliminate the stigma surrounding viral hepatitis. Her call for improved public awareness, expanded access to prevention and treatment, and stronger collaboration across the healthcare sector aligns with Nigeria's commitment to ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Through early diagnosis, increased public education and accessible healthcare services, Nigeria can make meaningful progress toward reducing the impact of viral hepatitis and protecting the health of millions of its citizens.