By Peter Duru, Makurdi
The Benue state government has disclosed that 193 pregnant women tested positive for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in 2025, raising concerns over the continued burden of viral hepatitis in the state despite ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease.
The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, made the disclosure during the commemoration of the 2026 World Hepatitis Day, themed “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down.”
He said the state had stepped up surveillance, screening and treatment to reduce infections and prevent mother-to-child transmission.
According to him, 35,508 pregnant women were screened for Hepatitis B in 2025, with 193 confirmed positive, while studies conducted in Benue showed that the prevalence of Hepatitis B stood at eight percent and Hepatitis C at one percent.
