By: Brain Akutei-Azu Mateko
President of the Hepatitis Foundation of Ghana, Mr. Theobald Owusu Ansah, has emphasized that administering the Hepatitis B vaccine to newborns can protect them from the threat of a severe liver disease.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show today, March 12, 2025 he explained that Hepatitis B is one of several viruses affecting the liver and is the most prevalent type in Africa.
While hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated food and water, hepatitis B, C, and D are transmitted through infected blood.
Mr. Ansah explained that Hepatitis B can be prevented with a simple vaccine given within the first 24 hours of birth, in contrast to Hepatitis C, which has no vaccine and can only be treated.
He cautioned that Hepatitis B is particularly dangerous because it often remains symptom-free until severe damage, such as liver cancer or liver failure, occurs. The virus can survive outside the body for up to seven days, increasing the risk of transmission.
The virus is mostly passed from mother to child during birth—a process known as vertical transmission—and can also spread between children in schools and households due to close contact. Testing for hepatitis B is essential, as its early symptoms can be mistaken for other common illnesses like malaria or typhoid. However, access to comprehensive testing, especially for hepatitis D, remains limited in the country.
Mr. Ansah urged health authorities to implement widespread newborn vaccination programmes to safeguard future generations. He believes that with increased awareness and proactive vaccination efforts, Ghana can significantly reduce the spread of Hepatitis B and prevent countless cases of life-threatening liver disease.
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I want to get in touch with Mr Ansah.
Thank you