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By Nath Emberga, Lafia.
The Permanent Secretary Nasarawa state ministry of health, Doctor Janet Angbazo, has appealed to residents to avoid the use of unsterilized sharp objects, sharing of needles/syringes, and the transfusion of unscreened blood/blood product to avoid the spread of viral Hepatitis B and C.
The permanent secretary gave the advice during a Press briefing held in commemoration of the 2023 World Hepatitis Day tagged “We are not waiting, one life, and one liver,” in Lafia on Monday.
While advising the general public to make themselves available for the testing of HBV and HCV in government hospitals across the 13 LGAs of the state, she disclosed that no fewer than 23,224 residents of the state have tested positive to the viral Hepatitis B and C.
She explained that a total of 229,682 individuals were screened but out of the figure, 23,224 residents tested positive for the disease. Adding that some of the infected persons were presently taking treatments in government hospitals across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
Doctor Agbanzo said, “The World Hepatitis Day, is a day set aside by the World Health Organization to recognize 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. Recognizing 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.
“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.”
“I also want to appeal to all residents of the state to spread the Hepatitis message widely and emphasize on the adoption of preventive measures that will reduce the further spread of the disease,” She said.
She however, expressed delight for the significant progress the state has made so far on the fight against Hepatitis. Adding that, 97 Healthcare workers have been trained across 17 Healthcare facilities, with the state achieving micro elimination in three facilities in Awe, Keana, and Doma LGAs.