To further reduce the impact of Hepatitis on the population, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, Southwest Nigeria, has said that the state has subsided Hepatitis C testing and vaccinated over 5,000 residents.
He stated this at a symposium held at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, Alausa, Ikeja, to mark World Hepatitis Day in Lagos on Wednesday.
In a press release signed by the Ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Ogboye, emphasised that the fight against viral Hepatitis must be intensified to curb the spread of the virus.
The 2024 World Health Organisation Global Hepatitis Report indicates that deaths resulting from viral Hepatitis have become the second leading cause of death, with about 1.3 million deaths annually, globally, 100 times more than HIV/AIDS.
According to the World Health Organisation, Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents, leading to a range of health problems.
It adds that about 354 million people worldwide live with Hepatitis B or C.
To further raise awareness of viral hepatitis, World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 every year.
The theme for 2-24 is “It’s time for action.”
Speaking at the event, the PS noted that the WHO Global Hepatitis report showed a higher prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in Lagos than the national average.
He stated, “In 2016, a baseline assessment conducted with support from the Lagos State Government showed a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV, 5 per cent and 1 per cent when compared to the national average. These figures suggest that an estimated 2 million and 200,000 Lagosians are chronically infected with Hepatitis B & C, all of whom are at risk of developing cirrhosis and primary liver cancer if left untreated.”
He added that the state government launched the Hepatitis Control Program in 2017 with a dedicated budget to mitigate Hepatitis.
Ogboye disclosed that the state government has provided access to Hepatitis C viral load testing at subsidised prices, noting that 435 HCV viral load tests have been performed in two diagnostic facilities in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
He added that the state government has also screened and vaccinated about 5,000 individuals, primarily health workers, across the state.
“The state government has provided access to Hepatitis C Viral Load testing at subsidised prices. About 435 Hepatitis C Viral Load tests have been performed thus far in two diagnostic facilities in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative. Recently, the state has also provided screening and vaccination for over 5,000 persons, mainly healthcare workers, complemented by extensive community outreach programs,” he said.
Ogboye commended stakeholders for supporting the state government in this effort and assured them of continuous engagement in the prevention and control of the disease.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Disease Control in the State Ministry of Health, Dr Rotimi Agbolagorite, explained that Hepatitis viral infection causes liver inflammation and damage and remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases, accounting for over 1.3 million deaths yearly.
He further stated that the 2024 World Hepatitis Day Celebration, themed “It is time for Action,” aims to raise public awareness of Hepatitis’s devastating effects and upscale efforts to end the global scourge.
“We gather on this crucial day to mark World Hepatitis Day to raise public awareness about the devastating effect of Hepatitis on health and to scale up efforts to end the global scourge,” he said.
The Lagos State Viral Hepatitis Control Program Coordinator, Dr Mazeedat Erinosho, explained that beyond the World Hepatitis Day celebration, the State Ministry of Health has been consistently conducting community awareness campaigns.
“These campaigns aim to inform citizens about the government’s prevention and control strategies and provide basic information on where and when to seek medical intervention against the deadly disease,” she said.
Erinosho further noted that the government was intensifying efforts to reduce mortality rates due to the disease by 95 per cent and 65 per cent respectively by 2030.
Delivering the symposium lecture, a Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr Rufina Igetei, explained that about 90 to 95 per cent of Nigerians acquire the infection in childhood, either through the placenta from an infected mother or childhood spread.
She urged residents to take precautions against the deadly disease by getting tested and vaccinated, maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene, and avoiding the sharing of sharp objects.
SOURCE: PUNCH NEWS
