From Willy Punvwet Lafia
No fewer than 23,224 persons from Nasarawa state have tested positive to Hepatitis disease, following general test conducted on 229, 682 persons.
The Permanent secretary, state Ministry of health, Dr Jenet Angbazo, who disclosed this at a press briefing as parts of activities to mark the World Hepatitis Day in the state explained that out of the number,5,096 had been assessed for viraemia.
According to her, 2,697 had so far been discovered to be viraemic adding that 2,587 individuals were put on treatment and most of them have since been cured.
Dr. Angbazo who said that this year’s theme is “We are not waiting, one life and one liver”, further reaffirmed the commitment of the governor Abdullah-led administration to curb the disease in the state.
The permanent secretary pointed out that the governor had worked out a five-year Hepatitis C elimination plan, aimed at treating 124,000 individuals within the period under review.
She announced that the Ministry of Health with the support from Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), had been working so hard in creating an enabling policy environment to facilitate access to diagnosis and treatment services.
Dr. Angbazo further disclosed that so far, a significant progress had been made in the fight against Hepatitis in the state, adding that 97 Healthcare workers had been trained across 17 Healthcare facilities.
She said the Ministry had achieved micro elimination in three facilities located in Awe, Keana and DOMA Local Government Areas while 13 secondary Health Facilities in Obi, Wamba and Ukeana were also on track to achieve micro elimination soon.
The permanent secretary appealed for partnership with the media, especially in the area of public enlightenment and education, in order to create constant awareness to the public.
She called on members of the public to take advantage of the ongoing screening and testing opportunities to get tested and know their status.
According to sites- google.com,Hepatitis is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis virus which could be easily contracted from a victim through contact of body fluids.
This could be either through sexual contact, blood contact or even saliva.
It could also be contracted if by chance a person consumes the waste passed out from a carrier.
Slight contact with these fluids can transmit the disease.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
