Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
The state has 18,429 people who have tested positive for Hepatitis “B” and “C,” according to Ahmed Yahaya, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health.
He made the remarks at a press conference in Lafia yesterday in honor of World Hepatitis Day 2022, which is themed “Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer to You.”
According to him, while 181,946 residents were screened, 18,429 tested positive for the disease, and some of those infected are currently receiving treatment in government hospitals across the state’s 13 local government areas.
“World Hepatitis Day,” he explained, “is a World Health Organization-designated day to recognize viral Hepatitis as a global public health challenge.”
“It is commemorated every July 28th in order to raise awareness of the disease and attract more resources for the fight against it.”
“It is estimated that 15-60% of the normal African population is infected with HBV or HCV, with the national burden for HBV and HCV being 8.1 and 1.1 percent, respectively” (NATIS. 2018). HBV and HCV seroprevalence rates in Nasarawa State were approximately 16 and 13.2 percent, respectively.
To combat the virus, the commissioner stated that the state government set up testing centers across the 13 councils for mass community screening, while urging residents to take advantage of the screening opportunity,” Yahaya added.
