World Hepatitis Day: KSACA urges residents to embrace hepatitis screening

By Editor

The Director-General of the Kano State Agency for the Control of AIDS (KSACA), Dr Usman Bashir, has urge residents to take advantage of free hepatitis screening services to ensure early detection and prompt treatment of the disease.

Bashir made the call while speaking with newsmen during the commemoration of the 2026 World Hepatitis Day organised by KSACA in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the Yadudu Waqf Foundation in Kano.

He said the event was aimed at raising public awareness on hepatitis prevention, early diagnosis and access to treatment, in line with global efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat.

According to him, hepatitis B and C remain major public health concerns because many infected persons are unaware of their status until complications develop.

The director-general stressed that early screening and prompt linkage to care could prevent severe liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer, while improving treatment outcomes.

He urged residents, particularly pregnant women, healthcare workers and other high-risk groups, to utilise the free screening services provided during the campaign.

‎Bashir said the state government, through KSACA, would continue to strengthen collaboration with development partners and civil society organisations to expand access to hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment services across the state.

He commended CHAI and the Yadudu Waqf Foundation for supporting the campaign, describing the partnership as critical to improving public health and reducing the burden of hepatitis in Kano State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s World Hepatitis Day celebration has the theme: “Let’s Break It Down: Free Screening for Hepatitis B and C, Referral and Linkage to Care.”

The event featured free screening for hepatitis B and C, counselling, referral of positive cases for appropriate medical care, and public sensitisation on preventive measures against the disease.

‎World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28 to raise global awareness about viral hepatitis and mobilise action towards its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.