The Kwara State government is set to launch a mass screening campaign for hepatitis as part of the activities to mark World Hepatitis Day 2024.Â
During a program organized by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday, Dr. Amina El-Imam, the State Commissioner for Health, announced that over 5,000 individuals, including newborns, will be vaccinated against hepatitis in the coming days.
Dr. El-Imam emphasized that this mass screening and vaccination initiative is part of the ministry’s efforts to commemorate World Hepatitis Day and protect the populace from contracting the disease.
She stated that the Hepatitis B vaccine is included in the state’s routine immunization program, highlighting the importance of prevention in medical care.
“Over 5,000 individuals, including newborns and other members of the populace, will be screened in the coming days as part of the ministry’s activities to commemorate World Hepatitis Day,” said Dr. El-Imam.
She added that anyone found positive during the screening exercise would be immediately linked to care to manage their condition and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis.
Dr. El-Imam also advised the public to avoid harmful traditional and cultural practices that increase the risk of disease transmission.
She urged people to improve their awareness of disease transmission and to modify certain cultural practices based on relevant acquired knowledge, as these diseases are preventable.
“We should improve consciousness around disease transmission and modify some of our cultural practices with relevant acquired knowledge, more so that the diseases are preventable. Never use unscreened blood; avoid harmful practices like communal circumcision, excessive ear piercing, body tattoos, the use of scarification marks, or unprotected sex. And when you have it, please seek medical care in government-owned hospitals,” she advised.
Dr. El-Imam also recommended that people purchase the state’s health insurance scheme to access medical services at a subsidized rate.
Dr. Muhammed Rasheed, the HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis Programme Officer in the state ministry of health, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about hepatitis.
He noted that while many people are aware of HIV prevention, risks, and morbidity, few understand the similar dangers posed by hepatitis.
“The majority know about the prevention, risks, and damage that HIV could cause, as well as morbidity, but very few people know these indices as they relate to hepatitis. There are so many types of hepatitis A, B, C, and D. Hepatitis B, for instance, is 100 times more infectious than HIV, and yet very few people know about it. The deadly hepatitis scourge can cause immediate disease, liver cirrhosis, cancer, and thus death. The cost of a liver transplant is almost unaffordable for more than 90% of our population. So, we’re creating awareness so that there won’t be a need ever for our people to even require that kind of treatment that we know we can’t afford,” said Dr. Rasheed.
He further urged the populace to adopt preventive measures and get vaccinated against hepatitis B, which is vaccine-preventable, noting that there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Hon. Razaq Owolabi, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, expressed the House’s support for increased budgetary allocation to the health sector and agencies, especially in the 2025 budgetary provision, to ensure more quality healthcare delivery for the people.
He also commended Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for paying counterpart funds on various health-related programs to improve healthcare provision for citizens.
