Rivers State Government, under the leadership of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has stated its commitment to strengthening the healthcare system and improving access to quality, affordable, and timely healthcare services for residents across the state.
Speaking during a broadcast to commemorate the 2026 World Hepatitis Day in Port Harcourt, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Wachukwu, said the government has intensified efforts to strengthen the state’s response to viral hepatitis through expanded prevention, testing, treatment, and public awareness initiatives.
Highlighting this year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”, Dr. Wachukwu described it as a call to action that aligns with the Rivers State Government’s vision of improving healthcare delivery, expanding access to essential health services, and ensuring that no citizen is left behind.
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He noted that viral hepatitis remains a major global and national public health challenge, with more than 300 million people worldwide living with the disease, many of whom are unaware of their infection. In Nigeria, he said, the burden of Hepatitis B and C remains significant, affecting millions of people.
“Hepatitis does not have to be a death sentence”, Dr. Wachukwu stated.
He emphasized that eliminating viral hepatitis requires collective action through community-based prevention, vaccination of eligible persons, screening and early diagnosis, prompt linkage to care, sustained treatment, health education, and strong partnerships at all levels of government and society.
“We can break the silence and the stigma surrounding the disease”, he added.
The Acting Permanent Secretary urged residents of Rivers State to know their hepatitis status by getting tested, receive the Hepatitis B vaccine if eligible, seek prompt treatment, if diagnosed, protect themselves and their loved ones from infection, share accurate information about the disease, and reject myths, stigma, and discrimination.
He assured that the Rivers State Government, through the Ministry of Health, will continue to collaborate with relevant partners to strengthen prevention efforts, expand access to testing and treatment, improve disease surveillance, and integrate viral hepatitis services into broader healthcare programmes across the state.
As part of activities marking this year’s World Hepatitis Day, the Ministry of Health is providing free hepatitis testing and treatment at designated government health facilities across Rivers State.
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