Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam said the state government will commence screening for hepatitis today, targeting 5,000 people.
The commissioner made this known yesterday in Ilorin at an event to commemorate the 2024 World Hepatitis Day, WHD, organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organisation, WHO.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that WHD is annually observed on July 28 to raise awareness about hepatitis, a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and to encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Hepatitis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing inflammation of the liver both acutely and chronically, and can kill a person.
In some countries, Hepatitis B is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and may also cause liver cancer.
There are several types of hepatitis, each caused by different viruses: Hepatitis A is usually spread through contaminated food or water, while Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids such as blood, semen and vaginal fluids, while Hepatitis C is spread through blood-to-blood contact.
Others are Hepatitis D, which occurs in those infected with Hepatitis B and Hepatitis E, which spreads through contaminated water.
The commissioner observed that the theme of the global observance; “It is Time For Action”, signifies the importance and opportunity for people to be aware of the disease.
She explained that the screening would be conducted in various tertiary institutions, market places and healthcare facilities.
According to her, there will also be referral and linkage to appropriate health facilities after the screening for medication and treatment.
El-Imam observed that “people know more about HIV/AIDs than hepatitis, which is more infectious than HIV.”
She added that the mode of transmission for HIV is similar to hepatitis, and that the designated centres for HIV treatment is also assigned for hepatitis.
The commissioner advised the people against harmful cultural practices including scarification, tribal marks, tattoo, circumcision, barbing and Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, that predispose them to contacting hepatitis.
“Some of these are cultural practices that can cause harm. No single race, tribe or culture is 100 percent perfect. Do not practice a culture that can cause harm,” she said.
Earlier in his presentation, Abdulfatai Olokoba, a Professor of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, described hepatitis as a liver disease which could easily be contracted from a victim through body fluids.
According to him, viral hepatitis is a global health challenge with six distinct types identified as A, B,C,D,E, and G.
Olokoba said socio-cultural practices in the environment which constitute risks include blood letting, manicure, pedicure, as well as having multiple sexual partners.
He warned that virtually everybody is at risk of contacting hepatitis, including healthcare workers, butchers and students.
The expert advised people to avoid risky practices, while also advocating behavioural change and screening of the disease to know their status.
He also tasked government on political will and allocation of budget toward combating the disease in the state. (NAN)
