World Hepatitis Day 2026: Genesis takes hepatitis fight to the heart of Ogbomoso

World Hepatitis Day 2026: Genesis takes hepatitis fight to the heart of Ogbomoso

Khalid ABARAHAM

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Genesis Social Impact Foundation and Genesis Medical Diagnostics Center intensify community action against viral hepatitis

In commemoration of World Hepatitis Day 2026, Genesis Social Impact Foundation, in conjunction with Genesis Medical Diagnostics Center, recently organized a community-centered hepatitis awareness and screening program in Ogbomoso, Oyo state.

According to Victor Oyetayo Olawuyi, founder, Genesis Social Impact Foundation, “The initiative formed part of our continuing commitment to protecting the health of our people through preventive healthcare, early detection, reliable diagnostic services, public health education and improved access to essential health interventions.”

The program had a large number of residents from Ogbomoso and surrounding communities participating. “Beyond providing screening services, the outreach created an opportunity to educate members of the public about viral hepatitis, its modes of transmission, its possible complications and the practical steps individuals and families can take to protect themselves,” Olawuyi said.

“This year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” calls on governments, healthcare institutions, civil society organizations, communities and development partners to remove the barriers that prevent people from accessing prevention, testing and treatment services. These barriers include inadequate awareness, fear, stigma, misinformation, financial limitations and insufficient access to quality healthcare.”

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Hepatitis: A silent but serious public health threat

Olawuyi giving more insight into hepatitis in a statement he signed further submitted, “Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by different viruses, principally hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Although these viruses differ in their transmission patterns and clinical consequences, some can cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

“Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are particularly important because they account for more than 95 per cent of deaths associated with viral hepatitis worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.3 million people died from chronic hepatitis B and C in 2024. Hepatitis B alone was responsible for an estimated 1.1 million deaths, largely from cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.

“These figures are alarming because many hepatitis-related illnesses and deaths can be prevented. Hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination and other public health measures, while modern direct-acting antiviral medicines can cure more than 95 per cent of people infected with hepatitis C. Unfortunately, access to diagnosis and treatment remains inadequate in many communities.

“One of the most difficult features of viral hepatitis is that an infected person may remain without obvious symptoms for many years. During this period, liver damage may continue silently. Some individuals only discover their condition after significant complications have developed.”

Olawuyi, who is also the CEO of Genesis Medical Diagnostics Centre, thus averred that this makes screening important, saying early detection could prevent death from the disease. “This is why screening must not be reserved only for people who appear sick. Early testing provides an opportunity for appropriate medical evaluation, monitoring, treatment and preventive counselling before severe liver damage occurs.”

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Bringing prevention and testing closer to the people

He added, “At Genesis Social Impact Foundation, we believe that quality healthcare must extend beyond the walls of hospitals and diagnostic centres. Public health progress is achieved when accurate information, preventive services and reliable testing are taken directly to the people who need them.

“Our World Hepatitis Day programme was designed to bridge the gap between healthcare knowledge and community access. Participants received public health education addressing hepatitis transmission, prevention, vaccination, screening and the importance of seeking qualified medical attention.

“The programme also challenged common myths and misconceptions surrounding hepatitis. Viral hepatitis should never be treated as a moral judgement or a reason to stigmatise another person. It is a medical condition requiring evidence-based prevention, confidential testing, appropriate treatment and compassionate support.

“Community members were encouraged to adopt proven preventive practices, including hepatitis B vaccination, avoidance of unsafe injections, use of sterile medical and cosmetic instruments, proper screening of donated blood, safe handling of needles and sharp objects, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission through appropriate antenatal screening and medical care.

“People were also reminded not to share razors, needles, clippers or other items that may be contaminated with blood. Barbers, beauty practitioners, traditional birth attendants, healthcare providers and other professionals who use sharp instruments must maintain strict infection prevention and sterilisation standards.”

Bridging Ogbomoso’s healthcare gap

The organization in association with Genesis Medical Diagnostic Centre, he assures, is determined to help bridge healthcare gap in in Ogbomoso and beyond. “The successful turnout recorded during the programme demonstrates both the need for such interventions and the willingness of our people to take responsibility for their health when appropriate services are made accessible.

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“However, a single outreach, no matter how successful, cannot eliminate viral hepatitis. Elimination requires sustained public education, affordable screening, vaccination, reliable laboratory diagnosis, referral pathways, access to treatment, surveillance and collaboration among healthcare providers, government agencies, community organisations, traditional institutions, religious bodies and development partners.

“Genesis Social Impact Foundation and Genesis Medical Diagnostics Centre are determined to remain active participants in this process.

“Our work is not merely to commemorate international health days with ceremonies and photographs. Our responsibility is to translate global health priorities into practical local action. That means reaching underserved populations, identifying gaps in healthcare delivery, encouraging early diagnosis and supporting the development of healthier communities.

“As a diagnostic and public health institution established in Ogbomoso, Genesis Medical Diagnostics Centre understands the importance of accurate and timely laboratory investigation. Medical decisions are only as dependable as the information on which they are based. Therefore, expanding access to quality-assured screening and diagnostic services is central to reducing the burden of hepatitis and other preventable diseases.”

A call for stronger partnerships

“The fight against viral hepatitis cannot be won by one organisation. We therefore call on the Oyo State Government, local government authorities, healthcare institutions, corporate organisations, professional associations, international development partners, traditional rulers, religious leaders and philanthropists to support coordinated hepatitis prevention and elimination programmes.

“Such partnerships should prioritise:

Expanded hepatitis B vaccination;
Affordable and accessible hepatitis B and C screening;
Antenatal hepatitis screening and prevention of mother-to-child transmission;
Public education in schools, markets, workplaces and religious institutions;
Training of healthcare workers and community health volunteers;
Stronger infection prevention practices in formal and informal settings;
Accessible confirmatory testing, clinical evaluation and treatment; and
Reliable community-level data to support planning and policy decisions.

“The World Health Organization has warned that current progress remains insufficient to achieve all global hepatitis elimination targets by 2030. The implication is clear: communities, institutions and governments must move from occasional awareness to sustained, measurable action.”

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Our commitment to the community

“Genesis Social Impact Foundation was established on the conviction that the health, dignity and development of every person matter. Through our partnership with Genesis Medical Diagnostics Centre, we will continue to champion public health education, preventive healthcare, community screening, professional training, responsible health advocacy and accessible diagnostic services.

“We remain committed to building a future in which people do not die simply because they were unaware of a preventable disease, could not access testing or were diagnosed too late.

“Our World Hepatitis Day programme represents more than an annual commemoration. It is a declaration that the health of Ogbomoso matters, that underserved communities must not be abandoned and that local institutions can contribute meaningfully to global disease-elimination efforts.

“To everyone who participated in the programme, supported the outreach and shared our public health message, we express our sincere appreciation.

“The fight against hepatitis must continue in our homes, hospitals, laboratories, schools, markets, worship centres and communities.

“Know your status. Get vaccinated. Seek qualified medical care. Reject stigma. Protect your liver.

Together, we can break down the barriers to prevention, diagnosis and treatment and move Ogbomoso closer to a healthier, hepatitis-free future.”

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