Hepatitis B remains a significant public health concern in Ghana, with prevalence among pregnant women estimated at about 8 percent, although rates vary across regions.
While prevalence among children under five is currently below one percent, health experts say the risk remains high because about 90 percent of babies infected during childbirth go on to develop chronic Hepatitis B.
The disease can be particularly dangerous because infected people may show no symptoms for decades before developing serious complications such as liver cirrhosis or cancer.
Although Hepatitis B screening is free for pregnant women, Ghana has no national population-wide screening programme, relying largely on a risk-based approach.
Treatment also remains a challenge, with medicines for chronic Hepatitis B not covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme.
The country’s specialist capacity is another concern. Ghana has fewer than 30 gastroenterologists and barely three paediatric gastroenterologists to manage complex liver conditions, raising questions about access to timely specialist care.
As Ghana marks World Hepatitis Day, health advocates are calling for stronger prevention, expanded screening, affordable treatment and, critically, the routine introduction of the Hepatitis B birth dose to protect newborns from infection at the very beginning of life.
They say closing these gaps will be essential if Ghana is to stay on course to eliminate Hepatitis B by 2030.
The data below shows the current situation of hepatitis B in Ghana and all you need to know.
==Prevalence among pregnant women is about 8% (varies by region).
==Prevalence among children under 5 is less than 1%.
==No national population-based screening programme
==Ghana has a risk-based screening programme but No national population-based screening program.
==Hepatitis B screening is free for pregnant women.
==Treatment for viral hepatitis B is not covered under the NHIS.
-=About 90% of babies infected during delivery develop chronic hepatitis B.
==Symptoms often start showing after decades.
==There are less than 30 Gastro-enterologists ( specialists) in the country
===Barely 3 pediatric Gastro-enterologists
