Posted on: Wed 04-08-2021

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has said the Federal Government is working towards reducing the cost of hepatitis tests in Nigeria. Ehanire said this while answering a question from The NAN during the celebration of World Hepatitis Day in Abuja.

A survey by the NAN revealed that no fewer than 16 million Nigerians are estimated to have been infected with hepatitis B with 2.2 million infected with hepatitis C. Further research also revealed that few health facilities offer hepatitis tests at subsidised rates.

Ehanire, while emphasising the need for Nigerians to know their hepatitis status, said the Federal Government was working towards the reduction of fees for hepatitis tests. He said “We are aware and we are working towards subsidising the price for tests. It is very important that people know their status and they can’t know unless they go for tests.

“Viral Hepatitis remains a disease of public health importance, the mortality rate from both infections, is still alarming, despite limited global progress in addressing the scourge. There is a low level of awareness, under-reporting, under-diagnosis, and under-treatment of Hepatitis B and C in Nigeria.

“I wish to recognise some encouraging activities by sub-national governments in viral hepatitis control; Lagos and Nasarawa States are funding elements of their programme and Taraba and Adamawa States have partnered with pharmaceutical companies to advance state programmes.”

Ehanire said the Federal Government was committed to the hepatitis elimination plan in the country.

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