From Wilson Bako Lafia.
No fewer than 18,429 persons out of 181,946 persons in Nasarawa state, tested positive to Hepatitis test conducted on them.
The state Commissioner for Health, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahya, disclosed this at a press conference in Lafia on Thursday.
Pharmacist Yahya, who said the press conference was part of activities line up to mark the World hepatitis Day, explained that the state government had in February 2020 committed to the elimination of viral hepatitis through the implementation of a five strategic plan aimed at treating 124,000 persons within five years.
He stated that such an initiative had been in line with the state economic empowerment development strategy ( NEEDS), directed at improving human capacity development.
The commissioner maintained that the government policy thrust to curb the disease include amongst others, avoid the use unsterilized sharps, transfusion of unscreened blood products, improve d vaccination, particularly birth dose immunization of new born and early identification and prompt treatment.
The Commissioner said that his ministry had earmarked on series of activities including; road walk, Radio and TV Health talks as well as mass community screening at designated communities.
He appealed to members of the public to avail themselves of a testing opportunity to know their health status pertaining to the disease.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Alcohol consumption, several health conditions, and some medications can all cause this condition.
However, viral infections are the most common cause of hepatitis, according to Health line.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
