An estimated 3 million Ghanaians are currently living with Hepatitis B, with another 500,000 believed to be infected with Hepatitis C, health officials disclosed today.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) warned that the vast majority of those infected remain unaware of their status due to the long, symptom-free progression of the virus. Speaking on behalf of Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Chief Director of the Ministry Desmond Boateng characterized viral hepatitis as a urgent public health challenge demanding a coordinated national response.
Chronic viral hepatitis has emerged as one of the chief drivers of severe liver illness across Ghana. Ministry statistics reveal that liver cancer has climbed to the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country and is now the second leading cause of cancer related deaths nationwide.
Medical experts emphasize that the silent spread of the virus makes routine screening vital to saving lives, as damaged tissue often goes undetected until late-stage complications manifest.The figures were made public during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day in Accra, where the Ministry formally inaugurated the National Viral Hepatitis Working Group.
The newly formed task force is mandated to streamline public policy, boost nationwide prevention initiatives, and expand access to modern treatments.
Despite the high burden of disease, health authorities stressed that both strains are highly preventable and manageable.
Hepatitis B Can be effectively prevented through safe, widely available vaccines and managed with ongoing therapeutic care while Hepatitis C Can now be completely cured using modern, highly effective antiviral medications.
The Ministry appealed directly to the public to utilize local health centers for routine testing and vaccination, urging early diagnosis as the primary defense against severe liver damage.
Philbert Amiba Ayuusah