By Dawud Ocheni


Let's cut to the chase. Your liver is the unsung hero of your body, working 24/7 while you're busy debating whether that fourth coffee is really necessary. Yet we're letting viral hepatitis (a preventable, treatable and in some cases curable condition) quietly wreck this vital organ. On this occasion of World Hepatitis Day, this year's theme: Let's Break It Down, isn't asking nicely anymore. It's demanding we smash the systemic roadblocks protecting this silent killer.  

THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT A SOFT TARGET

Here's the uncomfortable reality:

First, over 90% of hepatitis B cases and over 80% of hepatitis C infections go undiagnosed.

Secondly, liver cancer from viral hepatitis kills someone approximately every 30 seconds.

Thirdly, we've had a hepatitis B vaccine since 1982.

And also, cures for Hepatitis C now take around 8-12 weeks.

Yet millions are still getting sick and dying from what's essentially a failure of systems, not medicine. That's not just tragic, it's downright embarrassing for modern healthcare.  

THE FOUR BARRIERS WE NEED TO WRECKING-BALL

First, the Stigma Shame game.

Let's call out the elephant in the room. We've made hepatitis an "other people" disease - drug users, certain ethnic groups, the sexually active. Newsflash: viruses don't discriminate. Neither should healthcare.  

Secondly, the Access Farce.

Having life saving treatments locked behind specialist clinics is like putting fire extinguishers in a vault during a blaze. Testing and treatment need to be where the people are; in General Practice surgeries, Pharmacies, and needle exchanges.  

Thirdly, The Cost Catastrophe.

Generic hepatitis C meds now cost under $50 for a full course in some countries. Why are patients still being charged thousands? This isn't economics, it's extortion.  

Lastly, The Awareness Vacuum.

Most people couldn't spot hepatitis symptoms if they were written in Comic Sans on a billboard. "know your status" has been made to work for HIV, why not hepatitis?  

THE GAME PLAN: NO MORE NICE GUY

1. Vaccinate like your liver depends on it... because it does.

2. Test like you're looking for your lost AirPods (relentlessly).

3. Treat immediately, don't wait and observe until it's too late.

4. Shout about it until hepatitis gets the attention it deserves.

THE BOTTOM LINE

We've got 5 years left to hit the WHO's 2030 elimination targets. That's not much time when you consider how slowly health systems move. But the good thing is, we have all the tools. What we've lacked is the urgency.  

This World Hepatitis Day, it's time to stop politely knocking on the door of change and start kicking it down. Because when it comes to hepatitis, "later" is a luxury too many people can't afford.



Dawud Ocheni is a 200 Level student of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University Kano. 

A dedicated member of the PANS-BUK Editorial Team, he serves as a content writer and also sits as a Senator in the Pharmacy Parliament. He is also a member of the 200 Level Academic Committee. 

Driven by a passion for innovation, creativity and social impact, Dawud is an active member of ENACTUS BUK, a student community of innovators and social entrepreneurs. He recently represented the university at the 2025 ENACTUS Nigeria National Competition in Lagos where he and his team presented their innovative projects before a National audience.