From Esther Akaa, Lafia
A total of 23,224 Nasarawa State residents have been tested positive for the hepatitis B and C viruses.
The Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Janet Angbazo, disclosed this on Monday at a press briefing held in commemoration of the 2023 World Hepatitis Day tagged “We are not waiting, one life, and one liver”, held in Lafia.
According to her, a total of 229,682 individuals were screened but out of the figure, 23,224 residents tested positive for the disease.
She said some of the infected persons were currently receiving medical care at public hospitals across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Angbazo said: “The World Hepatitis Day, is a day set aside by the World Health Organization to recognise viral Hepatitis as a global public health challenge. It is commemorated every year to increase the visibility of the disease and attract more resources for the battle against it, as well as to bring succor to the people affected by the viral Hepatitis.
“I am here today to bring attention to the high burden of Hepatitis B & C in Nasarawa State, which surpasses the national average. Recognising the urgency of this issue, the Nasarawa State government has committed to a five-year hepatitis B and C elimination plan. This ambitious plan aims to treat approximately 124,000 individuals within the next five years.
“It is the high burden of this dreaded disease in the state that led the state Ministry of Health with support from Clinton Health Access Initiative to establish the State’s Viral Hepatitis Control Program, creating an enabling policy environment to drive access to HBV/HCV diagnostic and treatment services.
“I am delighted to report that significant progress has been made in the fight against Hepatitis in our state. As of now, 97 Healthcare workers have been trained across 17 Healthcare facilities, and we have achieved micro elimination in three facilities in Awe, Keana, and Doma LGAs.
“As the theme for this year’s World Hepatitis Day remind us, “we can’t wait” let us take immediate action to prevent viral hepatitis, know our statuses, and provide timely treatment.”
The Permanent Secretary appealed to the public to make themselves available for the testing of HBV and HCV in government hospitals across the 13 LGAs of the state.
Angbazo also urged them to avoid the use of unsterilised sharp objects, sharing of needles/syringes, and the transfusion of unscreened blood/blood products.
” We have organised various activities, including a press conference, a road-walk has already been held, and radio and TV Health talks and phone-in programs. Additionally, we will be conducting mass community screenings at designated areas across the state starting with the Ministry of Works , Housing and Transport and others,” she said.
She , therefore called on the media to help the state government and its partners in disseminating crucial health information in order to prevent the spread of the disease.
