Kenya Marks World Hepatitis Day in Mombasa

𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐚, 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚 – 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Kenya joined the global community in commemorating World Hepatitis Day with national celebrations held in Mombasa County. This year’s theme, “Let’s Break It Down,” called for collaborative action to dismantle the barriers of stigma, misinformation, and limited access to care, with the aim of achieving a Hepatitis-Free Kenya.

Hepatitis—particularly Hepatitis B and C—continues to pose a major public health challenge in Kenya. These infections, often transmitted through unprotected sexual contact or shared contaminated needles, typically go undetected until significant liver damage occurs.

Speaking at the event, Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, who served as Chief Guest, called for united action to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat.

“Africa bears 63% of the global hepatitis B burden, with over 64 million people affected and more than 124,000 deaths annually,” he stated.

Also present were Dr. Issack Bashir, Director of Family Health; Dr. Andrew Mulwa, Head of NASCOP; implementing partners; and local leaders from county and community levels—all of whom reaffirmed their commitment to prevention, testing, treatment, and public education.

Health officials emphasized the urgent need to increase awareness, noting that many Kenyans are unaware of their hepatitis status due to the silent progression of the disease. Without symptoms, it can go undiagnosed for years, increasing the risk of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

The Ministry of Health, through programs led by NASCOP, is scaling up efforts to improve public awareness, expand access to testing, and strengthen prevention—particularly among high-risk groups such as people who inject drugs and individuals with multiple sexual partners.

As part of Kenya’s broader strategy, the government is working to integrate hepatitis services into routine healthcare, ensuring nationwide access to vaccination, early diagnosis, and effective treatment.