The Chairman of Parliament’s Select Committee on Health, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, has called for intensified national action to combat viral hepatitis, describing the disease as a major public health challenge that requires urgent and coordinated intervention.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament to commemorate World Hepatitis Day 2026, Dr. Nawaane urged government, lawmakers and health stakeholders to increase investment in public education, screening, vaccination and affordable treatment to curb the spread of the disease.
He stressed that despite advances in prevention and treatment, viral hepatitis continues to pose a significant threat to public health in Ghana, making it imperative for the country to strengthen its response.
According to the World Health Organization, hepatitis B remains hyper-endemic in Ghana, with an estimated 9.1 percent of the population living with chronic hepatitis B infection, while hepatitis C has an estimated prevalence of 3.3 percent. More recent studies estimate chronic hepatitis B prevalence at between 8.3 and 12.3 percent, placing Ghana among the high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Dr. Nawaane appealed to Parliament to champion policies that would expand access to hepatitis prevention, diagnosis and treatment services, particularly in underserved and rural communities where access to healthcare remains limited.
According to him, equitable access to hepatitis services is critical to reducing infections, improving early detection and preventing complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
He also underscored the importance of sustained public awareness campaigns to encourage regular screening and early treatment, noting that many people living with hepatitis are unaware of their status until the disease reaches advanced stages.
The Health Committee Chairman called on government, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to work collaboratively towards eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, in line with the World Health Organization’s global elimination target.
World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28, seeks to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and mobilise action to improve prevention, testing and treatment worldwide.
Dr. Nawaane reiterated Parliament’s commitment to supporting legislative and policy measures that will strengthen Ghana’s hepatitis response, saying sustained political commitment and investment are essential to reducing the disease burden and improving health outcomes nationwide.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com |102.7 MHz | Accra
