Posted on: Fri 28-07-2023

AS the global community celebrates this year’s World Hepatitis Day today, themed, “We Are Not Waiting,” stakeholders are highlighting the rising prevalence of the disease in Nigeria and urgency of taking more effective action to tackle it. With an estimated 20 million Nigerians living with the illness, and most of them unaware until it becomes life-threatening, the need for stronger proactive measures is inescapable.

 

The absence of sustained action is not for lack of official awareness of the problem. Recently, the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Eyoanwan Otu, emphasised the need for strong collaboration between the government and the private sector while receiving a federal health ministry delegation. Among other things, she urged greater public awareness campaigns on the nature and dangers of hepatitis, and increased public access to treatment.

 

This underscores the thrust of this year’s anti-hepatitis campaign. To this end, the World Hepatitis Alliance called on countries to accelerate elimination efforts and recognise the urgent need for testing and treatment for the real people who need it.

 

In July 2022, the Nigerian government announced a national strategic framework for eliminating viral hepatitis in the country. The then Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, had said, “The core pillars identified for attaining the 2030 target include infant vaccination, prevention of mother-to-child intervention, blood and injection safety, harm reduction, diagnosis, and treatment. As a country committed to the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, the need to create massive public awareness cannot be over-emphasised.”

 

Source: Punch News

 

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