By Dada Ahmed
The Founders of Mike Omotosho Foundation, Dr Mike Omotosho, has called on journalists in Nigeria to redouble efforts in enlightening the public on the dangers of hepatitis.
He made the call at the FCT NUJ secretariat, Abuja, during awareness campaign on the disease and the screening of some journalists and others of the public on Saturday against hepatitis.
He disclosed that about 22 million Nigerians were going about with the disease some of who he said were ready to infect unsuspecting members of the public.
The founder described the number as outrageous, stressing that the media had a crucial role to play, highlighting the danger posed to public hey by hepatitis and how to guilde against contracting it.
Omotosho said that like HIV and AIDS, hepatitis had no cure but could be managed, if detected earlier, adding it was more dangerous than AIDS.
The founder, who said that children were more at risk of contracting the disease, called on people to instances that predispose them to the disease.
He listed personal and environmental hygiene, avoidance of alcohol,smoking as among activities people should avoid to be safe from hepatitis.
Earlier, the chairman of the council, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, said the programme remained one of the cardinal objectives of the council, to ensure health of its members and other members of the public.
He urged members of the council to maximise the advantage of the programme to get tested for the, to ensure their health status.
According to health experts, hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver and signs and symptoms like malaria and other common diseases.
Duaglobal news reports the programme witnessed screening of some journalists and some other members of the public.
The programme was organised in conjunction with Omotosho Foundation,the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the NUJ council.
Some of the journalists who spoke with Duaglobal news commended the executive of the council for organising the programme.
According to them, the knowledge they gain about the disease will go a long way in boosting their understanding of the disease and ensure effective enlightenment of the public on it as well curbing the scourge.
