ILORIN (SUNDIATA POST)- The Kwara Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, says the state government will commence
screening for hepatitis on Tuesday, targetting 5000 people.
The commissioner made this known in Ilorin on Monday at an event to commemorate the 2024 World Hepatitis Day (WHD), organised
by the Kwara Ministry of Health in collaboration with 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 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 Kwara health 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 at various tertiary institutions, market places and healthcare facilities in the state.
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 people against harmful cultural practices including scarification, tribal marks, tattoo, circumcision, barbing and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), that predispose people to contacting Hepatitis.
“Some of these are cultural practices that can cause harm. No single race, tribe, or culture is 100 per cent perfect. Don not practice culture that can cause harm,” she said.
Earlier in his presentation, Prof. Abdulfatai Olokoba, a Professor of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, described Hepatitis as a liver disease caused by the hepatitis virus which could easily be contracted from a victim through contact of 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 that social cultural practices in the environment which constitute risk practices 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 status.
He also urged government on political will and allocation of budgets toward combating the disease in the state.
Alhaji Razaq Owolabi, the Chairman House Committee on Environment and Health, pledged to move a motion in Kwara House of Assembly to
ensure the 2025 budget captures the healthcare programmes to tackle the menace.
He explained that this will help toward funding healthcare sector for the people in the state.
Dr Muhammad Rasheed, the programme Manager, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis, described World Hepatitis Day as a day to step up efforts
and encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public to highlight the need for greater global response on Hepatitis. (NAN)
