3 Million Ghanaians Living with Hepatitis B- MOH
MOH Has Renewed Calls For Nationwide Screening, Vaccination And Early Treatment Of Viral Hepatitis As Measures to Combat the Disease.
The Ministry of Health has intensified its campaign against viral hepatitis, urging Ghanaians to embrace regular screening, vaccination and timely treatment as the country confronts what health authorities describe as a significant public health challenge. The renewed appeal was made in Accra during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day and the inauguration of the National Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group on Tuesday, July 28, a body established to coordinate national efforts aimed at preventing new infections, improving access to diagnosis and treatment, and strengthening implementation of policies designed to eliminate viral hepatitis.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Ministry’s Chief Director, Desmond Boateng, disclosed that an estimated three million people in Ghana are living with hepatitis B, while approximately 500,000 are believed to have hepatitis C. He stressed that a large proportion of those affected remain unaware of their status because the disease often develops without obvious symptoms. According to him, viral hepatitis can silently damage the liver for many years before symptoms appear, leaving many patients to seek medical attention only after developing serious complications such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.
“Today’s commemoration draws attention to the burden of viral hepatitis. The inauguration of the National Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group provides the mechanism for translating our commitments into coordinated and measurable action,” he said. Mr. Boateng described viral hepatitis as one of Ghana’s major public health concerns, noting that chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C remain among the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in the country.
He further revealed that current health estimates rank liver cancer as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ghana and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, underscoring the urgent need for expanded public awareness, early detection and sustained access to treatment. While highlighting the seriousness of the disease burden, he also pointed to available interventions capable of reducing its impact. Hepatitis B, he noted, can be prevented through vaccination and effectively managed with appropriate treatment, while hepatitis C is now curable using highly effective medicines.
The inauguration of the National Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group is expected to strengthen collaboration among government institutions, healthcare professionals, development partners and other stakeholders to accelerate Ghana’s efforts toward achieving the global target of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
The public is duly encouraged to take advantage of available screening and vaccination services, emphasizing that knowing one’s hepatitis status remains one of the most effective ways to prevent severe liver disease, reduce transmission and improve treatment outcomes through early medical intervention.
Author: Joyce Owusu
