A recent statement by a medical expert has shed light on the alarming burden of liver-related diseases in Nigeria, which has grown to be a serious concern for healthcare professionals and the general public. The health expert, Professor Olusegun Akinyinka, pointed out Nigeria’s high prevalence of liver diseases driven by aflatoxin and viral hepatitis and emphasized the need for preventative measures, cutting-edge treatment, and innovative solutions. During his valedictory lecture at the Ibadan College of Medicine, he urged for concerted effort to address this Public Health issue by establishing advanced care facilities and preventative measures.
Professor Akinyinka proposed establishing an Institute for the Study of Liver Disease and Transplantation at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, a move that would position Nigeria as a leader in liver disease treatment across sub-Saharan Africa. He called for collaboration between donors, the Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Health to Finance and support the founding of this institute. Professor Jesse Otegbayo, Chief Medical Director of UCH, expressed strong support for the proposal.
Heavy toll of the disease on Nigeria’s population.
He commended Professor Akinyinka’s contributions to medical Education and pediatric healthcare and reaffirmed UCH’s commitment to establishing its liver transplant program to lessen Nigeria’s reliance on foreign nations, like Egypt, for liver transplants. This would offer a much-needed alternative for Nigerians who actively seek liver transplants abroad due to a lack of domestic facilities. Liver illnesses such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver Cancer are becoming increasingly prevalent and continue to exact a heavy toll on Nigeria’s population.
According to a 2020 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), liver disease mortality hit 38,326, which accounted for 2.59% of all fatalities in the nation. With an age-adjusted death rate of 41.99 per 100,000 inhabitants, Nigeria has the 21st-highest liver disease mortality rate globally. In fact, liver disease is the 13th leading cause of death in Nigeria, as reported by World Life Expectancy in its list of the top 50 causes of death in the country.
Increasing liver disease rates with emerging lifestyle risks.
The prevalence of hepatitis B and C is a serious concern. Numerous Nigerians remain ignorant of their infection status, and they frequently only learn about their illness after serious liver damage has already taken place. A study conducted at a Nigerian tertiary hospital found that more than half of the liver disease patients covered in the study tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. The stigma associated with these illnesses makes it more difficult to solve the crisis because it keeps many people from getting the essential screenings or treatment in a timely manner.
In addition, from 1990 to 2019, Nigeria’s age-standardized rate of cirrhosis and other chronic liver disorders increased by 0.52% per year. These figures highlight how urgently Nigeria needs all-encompassing public health initiatives to combat the growing prevalence of the disease. Moreover, lifestyle choices such as alcohol consumption and obesity have emerged as major risk factors for liver disease. Although their impact has not yet been mirrored in mortality trends, they are expected to drive the epidemiology of chronic liver illnesses in the future and to be responsible for rising percentages of deaths.
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Further impeding attempts to limit the spread of these diseases is the dearth of early diagnostic and treatment options, especially in rural regions. In many parts of the nation, people lack access to high-quality healthcare, making it difficult for them to get the treatments they need to control or prevent the disease. Nigeria’s increasing liver disease burden highlights the pressing need for comprehensive public health initiatives. Especially in underprivileged regions, it is imperative to make investments in preventative measures, raise awareness, and provide improved access to healthcare services.