29/07/2026
💥UUTH Pharmacy Public Health Division Leads Massive Hepatitis Awareness Campaign to Mark World Hepatitis Day 2026
The Public Health Pharmacy Division of the Pharmacy Department, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Uyo, once again demonstrated its commitment to disease prevention and health promotion as it marked the 2026 World Hepatitis Day with an impactful series of awareness and advocacy activities across Uyo.
The celebration commenced with an early morning health education session at the General Outpatient Department (GOPD) reception of the hospital, where patients and visitors received comprehensive enlightenment on hepatitis, its causes, modes of transmission, symptoms, prevention, available treatment options, and the importance of early detection. The interactive session attracted significant attention, with participants commending the initiative for simplifying vital health information.
Following the hospital sensitization exercise, members of the division embarked on a citywide awareness campaign to both the Federal Secretariat and the Akwa Ibom State Secretariat, where workers and members of the public were educated on viral hepatitis and encouraged to embrace preventive measures. On Screening, the division will undertake free voluntary screening today, further reinforcing the campaign's emphasis on early diagnosis and timely intervention.
The programme, which aligned with this year's World Hepatitis Day theme, "Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down – Educate, Act, Eliminate It," showcased the Public Health Pharmacy Division's unwavering dedication to improving community health through sustained advocacy and public education.
The Head of the Pharmacy Department, Dr. Ekpema Abasiattai, had earlier given his blessings to the programme and commended the division for consistently projecting the department through impactful public health initiatives. He particularly applauded the dynamic leadership of the Head of the Public Health Pharmacy Division, Dr. Ruth Orebiyi, describing her as pragmatic, proactive and passionate in advancing public health advocacy.
Adding colour and professional support to the event was the Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Akwa Ibom State Branch, Pharm. Nsikak Effiong, who praised the division for its innovative approach to health education. He noted that the recently concluded hepatitis video challenge had already made significant contributions to public awareness and encouraged the team to sustain its momentum in promoting healthier communities.
The campaign also witnessed the participation of pharmacists from different cadres within the department, alongside representatives of pharmaceutical companies who provided support towards the successful ex*****on of the programme.
A Deputy Director in the Pharmacy Department and an active member of the Public Health Pharmacy Division, Pharm. OBO, played a pivotal role throughout the planning and ex*****on stages, working tirelessly to ensure the programme achieved its objectives.
Although the Chairman of the World Hepatitis Day Planning Committee was unavoidably absent due to an important family engagement, he remained actively involved behind the scenes throughout the planning process, contributing significantly to the overall success of the event.
WHO Raises Fresh Concern
The awareness campaign comes against the backdrop of alarming global statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to the WHO, an estimated 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C in 2024, with many unaware of their infection. The organization also reported that 1.3 million people died from hepatitis-related illnesses in 2024, despite the availability of effective preventive measures, treatment for hepatitis B, and curative therapy for hepatitis C.
The WHO is urging governments, healthcare professionals and communities to intensify efforts by promoting routine hepatitis screening, ensuring newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, combating stigma
*©* *Alltrending* *online/Drug* *info&health* *channel*