Fed Govt, others join forces against hepatitis

By Moses Emorinken, Abuja

Determined to address the disturbing menace of hepatitis, the Federal Government has disclosed that it is collaborating with the Government of Egypt to ensure that at least 100,000 Nigerians are screened for hepatitis and placed on appropriate treatment.

It disclosed that currently, 16 million Nigerians are estimated to be infected with Hepatitis B and 2.2 million with Hepatitis C, which represents an estimated prevalence rate of 8.1 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.

It, therefore, urged all Nigerians to join the fight to eliminate viral hepatitis by visiting any health facility and get screened with a rapid test that only takes 15 minutes.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who made these known during a briefing in Abuja to commemorate this year’s World Hepatitis Day, with the theme “Hepatitis Can’t Wait,” urged the private sector to explore mutually beneficial partnerships with the government.

He said: “The Federal Ministry of Health introduced policy documents and guidance for action with partner support, but ensuring optimal access to service remains a challenge, while the out-of-pocket payment is still the main source for financing treatment. The government recognises the urgent need to address out-of-pocket payment, and improve sustainable financing, to be on course to the elimination targets.

“Nigeria subscribed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) coverage targets for eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, focusing on infant vaccination, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT), blood and injection safety, harm reduction and diagnosis and treatment.

“The importance of data for tracking interventions and measuring progress is critical as an achievement of the viral hepatitis programme in the past year or so, and for the first time, tools were acquired for routine data reporting as part of a larger effort to establish a national surveillance system.”

The National Coordinator of the National AIDS, STI and Hepatitis Control Programme (NASCP), Dr Akudo Ikpeazu added: “We are working, and the Minister has given a go-ahead for our discussion with the Government of Egypt, which has indicated an interest in supporting. Through it, we expect to screen up to 100,000 people and raise awareness, and place more people on treatment.”

The Country Representative of the World Health Organisation, Dr Kazadi Mulombo, called on all countries, including Nigeria, to rapidly improve access to services to prevent, diagnose and treat viral hepatitis.