18,427 Positive Hepatitis Persons Recorded In Nasarawa State
As the whole world commemorates Hepatitis Day, the Nasarawa State government has said that out of the 181,946 persons who were screened, 18,429 persons tested positive for the virus in the state.
Pharm. Ahmed Yahaya, State Commissioner for Health, the had stated this during a press briefing in Lafia to mark the 2022 World Hepatitis Day.
“The state government is committed to the elimination of viral hepatitis through the implementation of a five year strategic plan with a target of treating 124,000 persons. The day was set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO), to recognize viral hepatitis as a global public health challenge. It is commemorated every July 28 to increase its visibility and attract more resources to battle it, as well as to bring succour to the people affected. The theme this year is, Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer to You.”
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According to the commissioner, the state had exhibited a disproportionately high prevalence of Hepatitis B and C, as compared to the national average. He also said that the state had designated areas across the 13 local government areas for mass community screening and called on residents to present themselves for the screening.
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The commissioner advised for the public to avoid the use of unsterilized sharp objects, sharing needles, syringes and the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products.
He said that the members of the public who were willing to receive vaccines across the state should go to primary healthcare centres, general hospitals and the two tertiary medical facilities in the state.
In collaboration with the state Ministry of Health and other partners, Beacon Youth Initiative, a non governmental organization, had conducted a free screening for 1,000 residents of Bukan-Sidi in Lafia.
Mr. Envoh Okolo, the Executive Director of the organization, stated that the purpose of the exercise was to scale up screening for viral hepatitis in the communities and to vaccinate those who were found to be negative. He urged stakeholders to increase investment and financing efforts geared towards eliminating hepatitis globally.
