A young man survived a sudden health crisis only because his liver failure was detected early—proving that awareness and timely intervention save lives.
Health experts have raised serious concerns about low awareness of liver diseases, warning that these conditions remain silent killers and are increasingly becoming a major global health burden affecting millions worldwide.
In commemoration of World Liver Day on April 19, medical professionals noted that the 2026 event received far less attention than major global campaigns like HIV awareness.
Experts argue this lack of visibility reduces the effectiveness of awareness campaigns. Consequently, it limits public understanding of liver health, early warning signs, and preventive measures that could significantly lower disease rates and mortality.
Consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist Dr Kolawole Akande warned that the limited attention given to liver health initiatives restricted their ability to influence behaviour and promote preventive healthcare practices among communities nationwide.
He noted that World Liver Day was created to highlight the importance of liver health and encourage early detection and treatment of liver-related diseases before they progressed into severe, life-threatening conditions.
However, he said insufficient awareness continued to slow progress in combating diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, which collectively contributed to high morbidity and mortality rates globally.
According to him, the liver is one of the body’s most vital organs, responsible for nearly five hundred essential functions daily, including detoxification, metabolism regulation, and storage of nutrients necessary for sustaining life and health.
He said that in spite of its importance, many individuals only became aware of liver disease when it had advanced significantly, making treatment more difficult and reducing survival chances due to delayed diagnosis and intervention.
Akande emphasised that liver diseases often developed silently without noticeable symptoms, underscoring the importance of routine medical check-ups in identifying early-stage damage before it becomes severe or irreversible over time.
He said that early-stage liver damage could be reversed if detected promptly, but late diagnosis significantly limited treatment options and increased the likelihood of complications and death among affected individuals.
“A growing concern among health professionals is the rising prevalence of lifestyle-related liver conditions, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is increasingly affecting individuals due to modern lifestyle patterns and habits.
“Poor diet, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity have been identified as major risk factors driving the increase in liver disease cases, especially in both urban and developing communities.”
Akande stressed that policymakers and healthcare providers must actively promote healthy behaviours, including regular exercise and balanced diets, to prevent lifestyle-related liver diseases and improve overall public health outcomes sustainably.
“In addition to lifestyle factors, viral hepatitis remains a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries where access to healthcare services, vaccination, and screening programmes remains limited or inconsistent.
“Hepatitis is a liver inflammation caused by infectious viruses or other harmful agents, leading to a wide range of health complications, including chronic disease, liver failure, and cancer, some of which are fatal.”
Akande called for expanded vaccination programmes, improved screening systems, and increased access to treatment services as essential measures to combat hepatitis and reduce its widespread impact on populations.
He warned that many individuals were living with hepatitis without knowing their status, increasing their personal health risks while also contributing to the continued spread of infection within communities and across generations.
Globally, liver diseases accounted for at least 2 million deaths each year, yet many of these deaths are preventable through early detection, vaccination, improved awareness, and adoption of healthier lifestyle practices.
Akande emphasised that prevention efforts should begin with children, particularly through the administration of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth, which played a crucial role in reducing infection rates early in life.
According to him, hepatitis B is the most common cause of liver disease in Nigeria, in spite of being preventable through vaccination, highlighting the urgent need to improve immunisation coverage across the country.
“The vaccine is available free under Nigeria’s National Programme on Immunisation, yet coverage remains low, with less than twenty percent of newborns receiving the critical birth dose within the recommended timeframe.
“Scaling up vaccination coverage could significantly reduce the burden of hepatitis B, preventing countless cases of chronic liver disease and associated complications that place strain on individuals and healthcare systems alike.”
Akande said that after receiving the birth dose, children must complete the full immunisation schedule to ensure long-term protection against hepatitis B and related liver complications later in life.
He also advised adults to undergo screening and vaccination, especially those born before hepatitis B vaccination became part of routine immunisation schedules, as they remained at higher risk of undetected infection.
According to him, adults who test negative should receive vaccination, noting that vaccines are widely available and relatively affordable, making prevention accessible for many individuals across different socioeconomic groups.
“High-risk groups require more frequent screening, including individuals with close contact to infected persons, those undergoing dialysis, people living with HIV, and individuals receiving frequent blood transfusions or other exposures.
“Implementing these strategies effectively could drastically reduce liver disease deaths in Nigeria, demonstrating the importance of coordinated public health interventions and sustained commitment from both government and healthcare providers.
“Without urgent global action, projections indicate that viral hepatitis could lead to millions of new infections, increased liver cancer cases, and rising death rates by 2030.”
Akande underscored the need for stronger government and institutional support to improve awareness campaigns and ensure that liver health education reaches diverse populations across urban and rural communities effectively.
He called for collaboration among public health authorities, healthcare providers, and community organisations to educate citizens about liver disease prevention, early detection, and the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles consistently.
“Recommended measures include adopting healthier diets, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, and undergoing regular medical screenings to detect potential liver issues before they progress into severe conditions.
“Public education campaigns should emphasise practical lifestyle changes while also highlighting the importance of early diagnosis, ensuring that individuals understand both prevention strategies and the need for routine health monitoring practices,” he said.
Akande reiterated that prevention remained more effective than treatment.
Similarly, a general practitioner, Dr Jonathan Esegine, urged individuals to take proactive steps toward protecting their liver health, stressing that increased awareness could significantly reduce the global burden of liver disease.
Esegine advised adopting a balanced, plant-based diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, which supported liver function and reduced the risk of developing chronic health conditions over time.
He also recommended maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical activity, as exercise played a crucial role in preventing fatty liver disease and improving overall metabolic health and wellbeing.
“Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and harmful substances is essential for protecting the liver, as these factors contribute significantly to liver damage and increase the risk of developing chronic and life-threatening conditions.
“Vaccination against hepatitis B remains one of the most effective preventive measures, helping to eliminate unnecessary disease burden and protect individuals from long-term complications associated with viral infections,” he said.
Health experts say the theme for World Liver Day 2026, “Solid Habits, Strong Liver,” emphasises that liver health is shaped by daily lifestyle choices, reinforcing the importance of consistent healthy behaviours over time.
They say adopting healthy habits offers a powerful, collective defense against liver disease, improving long-term health and easing the global impact of chronic liver conditions.(NANFeatures)
