The Kano State Government has revealed that over 1.2 million residents are currently living with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, disclosed this during a press briefing to mark the 2025 World Hepatitis Day themed “Hepatitis: Let’s Break the Silence.”
He described HBV as a major but preventable public health threat.
He warned that untreated HBV could lead to life-threatening complications such as liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Dr Yusuf also revealed that to combat the disease, the government has released N95 million for a new initiative, “HepFree Mothers, Healthy Babies” launched in February.
The programme targets elimination of mother-to-child transmission which is the source of up to 80% of HBV cases by offering free screening and treatment to pregnant women, and immediate vaccination for newborns at birth.
Yusuf noted Kano is the first state in Nigeria to independently launch and fund the Triple Elimination strategy for HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis.
He added that the state has proposed an additional N135 million to expand the programme and procure more medical supplies to meet the 2030 global hepatitis elimination target.
