Osun

Concern Over Hepatitis B Cases In Osun Community

ByKazeem Badmus

PublishedNovember 14, 2025

Osun State University Teaching Hospital, UNIOSUNTH, Osogbo, has raised concern over the rising cases of Hepatitis B and its complications among residents of Iwo community.

A Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at the hospital, Dr. Raheem Abiola, in a letter addressed to the Almufty of Yoruba Land, Alhaji Dawood Imran Molasan, said over 20 million people are currently infected with the virus in Nigeria with about 20 percent of people in Osun State affected.

The hospital sought partnership and community support for an enlightenment and free screening campaign to curb the spread of the virus in the town.

Consultant Gastroenterologist noted that Hepatitis B has continued to claim lives in Iwo, including notable indigenes and Islamic scholars.

He added that “we see cases of hepatitis B infection or its complications like liver cirrhosis or liver cancer coming from Iwo almost on a weekly basis.”

Dr Abiola said it is high time something is done to stem the surge. He urged the Islamic scholar to pass the message to other decision makers in the town and fix an appropriate date and venue for an awareness enlightenment campaign and sensitisation of residents on prevention and early treatment.

When contacted, Mr Adeboje Lukman, the media aide to Alhaji Molasan, confirmed the receipt of the letter.

Lukman said the Taa’wun leader has instructed doctors who were members of the association to organise the programme.

He said, The letter was brought on the 2nd of November, and Almufty has given them the go-ahead. The letter was sent to our members who were doctors to organise the programme.

“The only issue now is the provision of kits, which the hospital requested. We thought that since the hospital is government-owned, the management should provide the kits. That is why our doctors have not given them a date.

“We already have data on Hepatitis B because our organisation has also done a lot of medical outreach for the people and we assure the UniOsun management of our cooperation.”

Kazeem Badmus

Kazeem Badmus is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience. A professional in journalism and media writing, Kazeem prioritses accuracy and factual reportage of issues. He is also a dexterous finder of the truth with conscious delivery of unbiased and development oriented stories.