Burkina faso: The Ministry of Health announced Monday, during a press conference, the delayed commemoration of World Hepatitis Day from August 16 to 30, 2025, under the theme "Hepatitis, let's break down barriers." For two weeks, health authorities and their partners will conduct awareness-raising activities, free screening, and community mobilization to halt the spread of this silent disease.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the coordinator of the Health Sector Program to Combat HIV, STIs and Viral Hepatitis (PSSLS-IST/HV), Dr. Natyon Dieudonn© Soma, the commemoration program includes, among other things, radio and television broadcasts in French and local languages from August 20 to 30, free screening sessions, a popular cross-country race scheduled for Tuesday, August 19, as well as an official conference on August 20, chaired by the Minister of Health.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), viral hepatitis now poses a more deadly threat than malaria, tuberculosis, or HIV if nothing is done by 2040. In Burkina Faso, the latest data reveal a prevalence of 9.1% for hepatitis B and 3.6% for hepatitis C. Each year, more than 900 deaths are recorded, mainly due to cirrhosis and liver cancer, indicated the coordinator of PSSLS-IST/HV, Dr. Natyon Dieudonn© Soma.
He recalled that medical advances now make it possible to protect against hepatitis B for life through vaccination at birth. Thus, Burkina Faso has included free infant vaccination against hepatitis B in the Expanded Programme on Immunization since 2006, with the addition of a birth dose since 2022.
Dr. Soma also emphasized the importance of screening, a key component of prevention. "Without screening, there is no treatment," he said, noting that nearly 70% of infected people are unaware of their status. "Early screening is fundamental to effective treatment. Vaccination is our shield against hepatitis B. A simple procedure at birth provides lifelong protection," he added, while regretting that too many children still do not benefit from it.
He also called for general mobilization, inviting the population to adopt preventive measures, to get tested and to have newborns vaccinated. The PSSLS-IST/HV coordinator also urged journalists to be true spokespersons, relaying awareness messages and information relating to care to the entire population. "Because behind the word hepatitis, there are not just numbers. There are our neighbors, our friends and our families," he said.