Written by Bernard Otu Assim-Ita
A new hepatitis C research programme aims to provide new prevention and treatment options for people who use drugs in Nigeria.
Samantha (Not real name) never imagined that her life would take a drastic turn because of hepatitis C. She had been using drugs for years, grappling with stigma, isolation, and the challenges of addiction. Then came the diagnosis—hepatitis C. At first, she felt ashamed and terrified, haunted by the myths surrounding the disease and the social judgment that came with it. But Samantha chose to fight back. With the unwavering support of her loved ones and a compassionate healthcare team, she sought treatment. Slowly, she began to heal—not just physically but emotionally. The journey wasn’t easy, but it taught her an invaluable lesson: addiction is a disorder, not a moral failing, and hepatitis is not a death sentence.
As Samantha puts it, “Hepatitis is a silent epidemic. But silence doesn’t mean helplessness. When we speak up and seek help, we can turn our stories around.”
Samantha’s story is far from unique. Hepatitis has been dubbed the “silent epidemic,” claiming millions of lives globally. In Nigeria, the numbers are staggering: over 20 million people are living with hepatitis B, C, or both. Even more troubling is that 80% of them are unaware of their status, according to the Nigeria HIV-AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (2018).
For many, diagnosis is accidental—discovered during routine blood donations or unrelated medical screenings. Without knowing their status, individuals unknowingly spread the infection to others, perpetuating a cycle of silent transmission.
Hepatitis C is particularly concerning among people who inject drugs, a population that is especially vulnerable due to shared injecting equipment. Yet, misconceptions and stigma surrounding hepatitis have prevented many from seeking testing and treatment.
Nigeria’s fight against hepatitis is gaining momentum with a groundbreaking research programme supported by Unitaid. This three-year initiative aims to break the silence around hepatitis C by empowering communities—especially people who inject drugs—to take charge of prevention and treatment efforts.
Participants at the 1st Harmonised Viral Hepatitis C National Technical Working Group Meeting
The programme, implemented in partnership with Education as a Vaccine (EVA), Drug-Free and Preventive Healthcare Organisation (DAPHO), and global technical experts, focuses on community-led interventions to build evidence and drive action.
People like Samantha will no longer feel isolated in their battles. Instead, they’ll find themselves at the heart of the solution, helping to design and implement activities that will:
- Provide access to innovative tools like long-acting buprenorphine, which replaces the need for daily medication.
- Introduce low dead space syringes (LDSS) to reduce the risk of transmission.
- Deliver free testing and treatment services in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and local ethical review boards.
“This programme is about more than curing hepatitis. It’s about restoring dignity, empowering communities, and creating sustainable change.”- Oluwatoyin Chukwudozie, ED Education as a Vaccine
The pilot programme in Gombe State is designed to reach 2,800 people who inject drugs, establishing a strong foundation for interventions that can be replicated and scaled across other regions. By addressing critical gaps in harm reduction and support services, the initiative seeks to improve health outcomes, enhance access to essential care, and inform evidence-based policies for more effective drug intervention strategies.
Participants at the demo Focus group discussion in Gombe
A key breakthrough is the introduction of low-dead space syringes (LDSS), which reduce the amount of blood left behind and lower the risk of transmission, even when injecting equipment is shared. Although LDSS has been globally recommended since 2012, high-dead space syringes still dominate in many low- and middle-income countries. To address this, Nigeria is working towards policy harmonization and greater investment in harm reduction, supported by partners like the Global Fund and WHO. Collaborative efforts between organizations such as EVA and the Society for Family Health (SFH) are driving a unified response—not only to hepatitis but also to other pressing health challenges like FGM and HIV.
For individuals like Samantha, the journey to recovery is a powerful reminder that no one should face hepatitis alone. But tackling this epidemic requires more than treatment—it demands advocacy for harm reduction by supporting policies that ensure access to safer injecting tools like LDSS, awareness by sharing stories like Samantha’s to break down stigma and encourage testing and treatment, and collective action to make Hepatitis care accessible.
The fight against hepatitis C in Nigeria is far from over, but with initiatives like this, progress is being made.
