By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma
Dr. Sulaiman Lakkoh, Director of the Directorate of Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) at the Ministry of Health, has raised concerns over the rising prevalence of Hepatitis B in Sierra Leone. He revealed that 13.8% of the population is currently living with the disease, warning that the trend is alarming and calls for immediate intervention from stakeholders to boost public awareness and prevention strategies. Dr. Lakkoh shared these insights during a recent stakeholders’ meeting held in Freetown.
Providing a global context, Dr. Lakkoh noted that 296 million people worldwide are living with Hepatitis B, while 58 million are affected by Hepatitis C. Tragically, almost 1.5 million people succumb to complications from viral hepatitis, such as liver cancer, every year.
Dr. Lakkoh further detailed the epidemiology of Hepatitis B within Sierra Leone, noting that the 13.8% infection rate spans various age groups. He reported that 8.7% of individuals aged 15 years are infected, with the rate increasing to 15.8% among those aged 15-29 years and 16.6% among those aged 30-44 years. The infection rate is also higher among males at 15.5% compared to 11.4% among females.
Explaining the nature of the disease, Dr. Lakkoh highlighted that hepatitis is a liver condition caused by various factors, including Hepatitis B, which can lead to liver cancer. The primary modes of transmission include mother-to-child transmission, sharing of contaminated needles, unprotected sex and unsafe blood transfusions.
Addressing prevention, Dr. Lakkoh stressed that vaccination is a critical tool, but currently, Hepatitis B vaccination is mostly available through private healthcare providers, making it costly for the average Sierra Leonean. He recommended early screening as another vital preventive measure, particularly since Hepatitis A and C are treatable when detected early.
He also emphasized the importance of early childhood vaccination adding that the Ministry of Health is planning to roll out a Hepatitis B birth dose for newborns in 2025, which would offer protection within the first 24 hours of life. This new vaccine will complement existing conjugate vaccines that protect infants against the disease.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Lakkoh urged stakeholders to intensify efforts and provide the necessary resources to curb the spread of Hepatitis B stressing that the disease is largely preventable and that proactive measures can save lives and safeguard public health.
