Nascop boss Dr Andrew Mulwa in Mombasa during Kenya’s World Hepatitis Day commemoration.
One in every four residents of Mombasa who inject drugs is
infected with hepatitis C, a viral disease that attacks the liver and can lead
to chronic liver failure, cancer, or death if left untreated.
Unlike hepatitis B, which is mainly spread through
unprotected sex, hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through contact with the
blood of an infected person, mainly through sharing contaminated needles or
syringes. Many people live with the virus for years without knowing until the
damage is irreversible.
Speaking in Mombasa during Kenya’s World Hepatitis Day
commemoration, Dr Andrew Mulwa, head of the National AIDS and STIs Control
Programme (NASCOP), said the risk is particularly high among people who inject
drugs.
“Since 2015, NASCOP has led the national response to viral
hepatitis with a particular focus on hepatitis C among people who inject
drugs,” he said.
“Over 1,000 individuals have been identified to date, with
Mombasa emerging as a key hotspot. In fact, our 2015 survey revealed an
exposure prevalence of 22 per cent among people who inject drugs in Mombasa,
and as of 2024, this has risen to 25.4 per cent, the highest in the country.”
Globally, hepatitis is one of the deadliest infectious
diseases, claiming 1.3 million lives each year, the same number as
tuberculosis. Yet it remains neglected and underfunded in many health systems.
“Hepatitis remains one of the greatest public health
challenges of our time,” Dr Mulwa said.
“Despite this reality, our commitment towards eliminating
hepatitis is unwavering. Through concerted efforts, we now have better tools,
data, and interventions than ever before.”
He noted that highly effective vaccines and curative
therapies now exist for both hepatitis B and C, and are becoming more
affordable.
“Treatment is available using effective Directly Acting
Antiviral (DAA) regimens,” he said.
“This is a 3-month therapy with a proven 90 per cent cure
rate. We’ve invested in training healthcare workers to improve identification,
linkage, and clinical management of hepatitis cases.”
Still, prevention remains a major challenge and stigma,
misinformation, and lack of awareness are keeping many Kenyans from seeking
testing or care.
To address this, NASCOP is working with civil society groups
to promote awareness, reduce stigma, and increase demand for services. Kenya
has also taken bold policy steps in adopting harm reduction strategies — a
crucial part of the response, especially among drug users.
“The Ministry of Health, through NASCOP, has adopted harm
reduction approaches as part of our national hepatitis prevention strategy,” Dr
Mulwa said.
“These include needle and syringe programmes, opioid
substitution therapy, overdose prevention, and support for sustainable
livelihoods among people who inject drugs.”
He also drew attention to a deeper issue: the strong links
between hepatitis and alcohol and substance abuse in the wider population.
“Over 10 per cent of Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 are
affected by alcohol use disorders, with 60 per cent presenting with severe
dependence,” he said.
“Alarmingly, NACADA data shows that one in five adolescents
had used a substance by 2019.”
Beyond prevention and treatment, Kenya is also targeting
mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, alongside HIV and syphilis, under
the Triple Elimination agenda.
“In line with the Presidential Declaration of ending AIDS in
children by 2027, we are committed to eliminating vertical transmission of HIV,
syphilis, and hepatitis B,” Dr Mulwa said.
“Our goal is to protect the health of every newborn by
ensuring access to treatment and lifelong prevention.”
The theme of this year’s World Hepatitis Day was “Let’s
Break It Down,” highlighting the need for collaborative action to dismantle
the barriers of stigma, misinformation, and limited access to care for a
Hepatitis Free Kenya.
Speaking during the event, the Chief Guest, Dr. Patrick
Amoth, the Director General-Health, urged collective action to eliminate
hepatitis as a public health threat, highlighting the heavy toll the disease
takes on the continent. “Africa bears 63 per cent of the global hepatitis B
burden, with over 64 million affected and more than 124,000 deaths annually,”
he noted.
Also in attendance were Dr. Issack Bashir, Director of
Family Health; Dr Nazila Ganatra, Head of viral hepatitis Implementing
Partners; and local leaders from county and community levels.
The leaders called for increased awareness to inform Kenyans
who remain unaware of their status due to the silent nature of the disease,
which can progress without symptoms for years. This lack of awareness
contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of liver
cirrhosis and cancer.