MONROVIA – In a powerful call to action, Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, announced a national advocacy campaign aimed at combating Hepatitis B, which he labeled one of the country’s most dangerous and often overlooked public health threats.
This announcement came during the commemoration of World AIDS Day on the grounds of the Capitol Building in Monrovia.
Minister Ngafuan shared his personal experience with the virus, stating, “Over the past one and a half years, I have personally known about ten people who died from Hepatitis B.”
He characterized the illness as “one of the biggest silent killers in the country,” bringing urgent attention to the need for a coordinated national response.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that an estimated 296 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis B, leading to approximately 820,000 deaths annually.
In West Africa, the prevalence rates range from 8% to 15%, making it one of the highest regions for the virus worldwide.
In Liberia specifically, health experts estimate that over 13% of adults may be infected with Hepatitis B, though significant testing gaps leave the true figures uncertain.
Minister Ngafuan underscored the necessity of raising community awareness, especially in rural areas and densely populated urban environments where testing and vaccination rates remain alarmingly low.
“It is time to ramp up massive efforts against Hepatitis B,” he proclaimed, assuring the public of his “fullest support.”
In a promising development, Ngafuan revealed that the government has allocated funds in the national budget specifically for strengthening programs related to HIV and viral infection control.
He also promised that further support would follow as fiscal space allows. “We will not sit to allow a critical sector to be overly challenged,” he stated, expressing optimism about forthcoming improvements.
However, the Minister pointed out the significant financial challenges the government faces, noting that debt servicing has become a major competing priority alongside critical allocations for health and education, totaling approximately US$230 million.
“Yes, we are increasing our budget, but our challenges are increasing as well,” he acknowledged.
Despite these hurdles, Ngafuan highlighted Liberia’s progress in managing HIV. Currently, over 36,000 Liberians are living with HIV, and the government’s goal is to push this number to zero through expanded treatment, widespread testing campaigns, and strong community partnerships.
“Unlike before, AIDS is no longer a death sentence,” he remarked, crediting reduced stigma surrounding the disease to years of dedicated efforts from health professionals and advocacy groups.
“We are not where we want to be, but we are not where we used to be. That is the theme of our progress,” he affirmed. Ngafuan praised the dedication of Liberia’s healthcare workers and international partners but cautioned that the battle against rising co-infections of HIV, Hepatitis B, and other sexually transmitted infections requires ongoing vigilance.
In closing, the Minister reiterated President Boakai’s commitment to the health sector, assuring citizens, “We do not claim that every problem can be solved overnight. But today is materially better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today.”
As Liberia embarks on this essential campaign against Hepatitis B, the call for unity and action resonates louder than ever, aiming to protect the health and lives of countless Liberians in the fight against this silent but deadly virus.
Mamdani is the political equivalent of a low-battery notification.
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