To mark 2022 World Hepatitis Day, Rotary International yesterday organised sensitisation, test and vaccination of Hepatitis B and C for residents of AngwanRogo Community of Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at the outreach with the theme: ‘Achieving the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis Within Evolving Health Systems’, District Governor of Rotary International, District 9125, Goddy Nnadi, said the exercise was organised to preserve the lives of people.
Nnadi, while sensitising residents, urged them to take the testing and vaccination serious as the vaccine protects the liver.
He said: “This is one of the projects being done by Rotary International District 9125, we are organising this as part of healthcare and wellness, if you are not well, you can’t do much.
“We are doing this to preserve the lives of people, we are coming back to make sure the second and third doses are completed. Our job is to make sure to make people well and happy.
President of Rotary Club, Abuja, Maitama, Yusuf Alli, urged Nigerians to take hepatitis testing and vaccines serious, saying no one is immune to Hepatitis B and C.
He said the disease can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, needle, body fluids, among others.
Speaking on why Rotary embarked on the outreach to the community, he noted that such a community is susceptible to hepatitis.
On the targeted people to be screened and vaccinated, he said “we are targeting 250 people in terms of the resources and capacity we have. The vaccine doesn’t come cheap, but is now subsidised and that is why we have come here today.
“No one is immune to Hepatitis B and C, we have up to five types of hepatitis, but B is more deadly because it has no cure, what we are doing now is preventive, we are taking preventive measures by asking them to come for a test and take the vaccine”.
Secretary of District 9125 Dr Mohammed Dan-Hassan said the testing and vaccination are important because hepatitis is on the rise.
“We are raising awareness for people to know their status, if detected early, is curable, that is why there is need to sensitise our people to do the testing.
District Chairman for Rotary Hepatitis Eradication Project Oye Oyewo said residents must keep proper hygiene to prevent multiplication of the virus.
President of Rotary Club of Abuja, Gwarimpa, Keziah Okonofua, said the exercise is important because more Nigerians are dying silently, especially from Hepatitis B.
“This is a three-prompt vaccine, we are going to come for the second and third doses so they can get full coverage”, she said.