(C). Medline Plus
,,, Assembly calls for state of emergency in health sector
By David Okpashi
LAFIA — No fewer than 28 persons have been reportedly killed in Nasarawa State, north central Nigeria by hepatitis with Ekye Development Area in Doma Local Area of worst affected.
The outbreak of the deceased was made known during the house plenary on Monday in a matter of urgent importance brought before the Assembly by a member representing the area, Hon.Musa Abubakar Ibrahim.
Presenting the matter before the Assembly, Hon. Abubakar, member representing Doma South Constituency,told his colleagues that 28 people of his Constituency died as a result of hepatitis from October 2023 to date.
“There is serious health problem in my constituency, as 28 people have been reportedly killed as a result of hepatitis outbreak from October last year to date.
“Hepatitis is killing my people and something needed to be done to curtail decease in the area.
“I beg that government to tackle this problem, we should come up with strong committee to address this issue. Go to rural areas and see, our health facilities are in bad shape,” Abubakar stated.
Deliberating on the matter, the Speaker of the Assembly,Rt.Hon.Danladi Jatau,said the death of 28 people in Ekye community as a result of hepatitis was a matter of urgent concern to both the government and the people of the state
“We have two resolutions to the effects that His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule,is hereby directed to ask the Ministry of Health to move their experts to the affected communities, to ascertain the situation and do the needful
“Secondly, the state government should declare a state of emergency on hepatitis and other deadly diseases in the state,” he urged.
He said the move would go a long way in curtailing the spread of the disease and improve on the health status of the people of the state.
The Speaker, who sympathized with the people of Doma South Constituency and the families over the death of their loved ones, prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
He appreciated Hon Musa Ibrahim and other members for their contributions on the matter and directed the Clerk of the Assembly to communicate the House resolutions to the Governor for his further necessary action.
According to medical experts,hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, often caused by viral infections, alcohol consumption, or autoimmune diseases.
They add that there are different types of viral hepatitis, including Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E pointing out that rach type is caused by a different virus and has varying modes of transmission and severity.
The symptoms of the disease may include fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and nausea.
The experts explain that vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B, but not for all types and advise patients to seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and management.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
