The Ministry of Health has intensified its campaign against viral hepatitis, urging Ghanaians to take advantage of testing, vaccination and early treatment services as part of efforts to reduce the country’s growing burden of hepatitis B and C infections.
The renewed appeal was made during the observance of World Hepatitis Day in Accra, where the Ministry also inaugurated the National Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group. The body is expected to strengthen Ghana’s response to viral hepatitis by coordinating policies, improving prevention strategies and expanding access to diagnosis, treatment and care.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Desmond Boateng, stressed the need for collective national action to tackle the disease, noting that a significant number of infected persons remain unaware of their condition.
He explained that viral hepatitis often develops without noticeable symptoms, allowing the disease to silently damage the liver over many years before being detected. According to him, routine screening and early diagnosis remain critical in preventing serious health complications.
“Today’s commemoration draws attention to the burden of viral hepatitis. Part of the integration of the National Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group provides the mechanism for translating our commitments into coordinated and measurable action,” he said.
Mr Boateng said viral hepatitis continues to pose a major public health challenge in Ghana, with millions of people believed to be living with the infection without knowing their status.
“Ladies and gentlemen, viral hepatitis remains a major public health challenge in Ghana. About 3 million Ghanaians are estimated to be living with hepatitis B while roughly half a million may be living with hepatitis C. Many do not know their status because the infection can remain silent for years, even as it progressively damages the liver” Mr Boateng remarked.
He added that the impact of chronic hepatitis infections extends beyond the immediate health concerns, as they remain major contributors to severe liver-related diseases.
“Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C are major causes of liver cirrhosis and liver cancers. Current estimates place liver cancer as the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ghana and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths” he noted.
Mr Boateng further noted that prevention and treatment options remain available, urging the public to take advantage of existing health services.
“Hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination and effectively managed with treatment, while Hepatitis C can be cured with highly effective medicines,” Mr Boateng advised.
The Ministry said the inauguration of the National Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group represents a major step towards strengthening Ghana’s response to viral hepatitis by enhancing collaboration among key stakeholders, driving coordinated policy implementation, and expanding access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
It also called on the public to embrace routine hepatitis screening, vaccination and early treatment, emphasizing that greater awareness and timely intervention are essential to reducing infections, preventing liver-related complications and saving lives.
