Liberia launched a nationwide hepatitis B awareness and testing campaign on July 28, 2025, coinciding with World Hepatitis Day. The campaign, spearheaded by the National AIDS Control Program (NACP) with support from the Ministry of Health (MOH), adopted the global theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down” and the slogan “Hepatitis Can’t Wait.” The initiative underscores the urgent need to address the growing threat of viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B and C, within Liberia, especially among its youth. The campaign commenced with free testing sites established at strategic locations in Monrovia, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministerial Complex, and the NACP office at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital. This accessibility aimed to encourage widespread participation and empower individuals to take control of their health.
Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh-Howe, Assistant Minister for Preventive Services, delivered a compelling call to action at the campaign launch. She stressed the critical importance of testing as the initial step towards combating the disease, advocating for individuals to know their status and make informed decisions about their well-being. Dr. Howe highlighted the detrimental impact of the prevailing culture of health denial and silence prevalent in Liberia, emphasizing that this reluctance to confront health issues hinders effective planning and treatment. She urged citizens to overcome this barrier and actively seek testing to gain a clear understanding of their health status and access appropriate medical care.
Dr. Howe underscored the alarming rise of hepatitis as a major cause of death in Liberia, particularly affecting young people. Her urgent plea to the public to get tested, share information with family and friends, and spread awareness about the disease underscored the gravity of the situation. The free testing initiative, continuing until July 31st, focused on civil servants, government employees, and the general public, utilizing the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town as a central hub. Health workers were deployed on-site to provide not only testing but also counseling and vital information on hepatitis B prevention and treatment.
The week-long campaign transcended mere testing; it aimed to dismantle the silence and stigma surrounding hepatitis B. This aligned with the national slogan “Let’s Break it Down,” reflecting a concerted effort to demystify the disease. The Ministry of Health committed to educating the public about the symptoms, transmission routes, prevention strategies, and treatment options associated with hepatitis B. This comprehensive approach aimed to empower individuals with the knowledge necessary to protect themselves and their communities.
World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28th, commemorates the birth of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, the Nobel laureate who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed its first vaccine. This day serves as a global platform to intensify efforts towards eliminating hepatitis, a goal set by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be achieved by 2030. Liberia’s national campaign aligns with this global objective, contributing to the international fight against this preventable and treatable disease. The campaign’s emphasis on testing, education, and breaking down stigma represents a significant step towards achieving the WHO’s elimination target within the country.
The concerted effort to promote testing, coupled with the provision of counseling and education, demonstrated a multifaceted approach to tackling the hepatitis B challenge. The campaign addressed not only the immediate need for diagnosis and treatment but also the long-term goal of preventing new infections. By targeting young people, the campaign aimed to curb the disease’s increasing prevalence among this vulnerable population. The focus on government employees and civil servants also recognized the importance of protecting the workforce and ensuring access to healthcare services for those serving the public. The overall strategy underscored the necessity of a comprehensive and sustained approach to combat hepatitis B effectively and contribute towards the global elimination goal.
