The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Hepatitis

  • Hepatitis

    Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Unless further qualified, the term is usually taken to refer to a virus infection of the liver; also known as “infectious hepatitis”. Hepatitis is also (occasionally) a result of a bacterial, protozoan or other microbial infection. There is also Toxic hepatitis which is caused by poisoning of the liver with various chemicals (such as industrial solvents), drugs, or (very rarely) general anaesthetics.

    Virus hepatitis occurs in two basic forms, one of which is called infectious hepatitis (or hepatitis A) and the other, serum hepatitis (or hepatitis B), which is also “infectious”. It is fairly certain that these two conditions, although clinically similar, are caused by different viruses and the modes of transmission are different.

    In Hepatitis B, transmission is mainly by the injection or transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, or by accidental skin pricks or other injuries caused by contaminated needles or other sharp objects. Transmission also occurs from inadequately sterilized hypodermic needles, syringes, surgical and dental instruments, tattooing instruments and razors. Hepatitis B is also common among narcotic addicts and others who use unsterile syringes for drug injections.

    The virus which causes hepatitis A, by contrast, is mostly transmitted in the faeces. Although it can be spread by blood transfusion, the main route is from infective faeces to the mouth via the hands or objects contaminated with the faeces.

    The patient with hepatitis may notice little or nothing wrong, but in more severe cases, the patient will have fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, a severe loss of appetite and aching in the muscles. Then jaundice, caused by an accumulation of yellow bile pigment in the blood, appears after a few days or, in some cases, a week or two from the onset of the symptoms. The liver may become enlarged and tender and may develop cirrhosis. The conditions may lead to death from liver failure.

    In Holistic Lifecare, hepatitis patients are strongly advised to have adequate bed rest, with proper care in the handling of infected excreta. Alcoholic beverages should be strictly avoided.

    The holistic remedy being suggested for Hepatitis is a combination of natural extracts of Eugenia caryophylatta, Musa cavendichii, Citrus lemonis, Euphorbia unispina and Capsicum frutescens,.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • ‘20million Nigerians infected with Hepatitis’

    Twenty million Nigerians are infected with Hepatitis virus, a Gastroenterologist with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Dr. Mustapha Sabo Umar, said yesterday.

    Umar, who spoke in an interview to mark the Hepatitis Week, said 3.6 million people were infected with the virus in Bauchi State.

    He said it is contracted through contact with unsterilised blood carrying the virus and urged the public to ensure they are vaccinated.

    “Hepatitis has become worrisome because report shows that over 400 million people are being infected with the virus worldwide.

    “Children, especially babies, are supposed to be vaccinated to prevent contracting the virus. Once they are immunised, their bodies will develop anti-bodies that will fight the disease,” Umar said.

     

     

     

     

  • Campaign against hepatitis heightens

    Concerned about the alarming rate of hepatitis infection in the country, Fidson Healthcare Plc has called for nation-wide preventive action against the scourge.

    It also urged Nigerians to prevent viral hepatitis infection by knowing their status through tests, vaccination and adequate treatment for the string of hepatitis virus known as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E that cause chronic liver diseases that affect millions of people worldwide.

    While speaking during the commemoration of the World Hepatitis Day whose theme was “Prevent Hepatitis: Act Now”, recently, the Marketing Manager of the leading pharmaceutical firm, Mr Friday Enaholo said the call became necessary following Federal Ministry of Health statistics which states that over 20 million Nigerians are currently infected with the hepatitis virus.

    The figure, he said, represents a substantial percentage of the 400 million people reportedly living with hepatitis B and C worldwide as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The reports also revealed that 1.4 million people die every year due to these infections.

    Mr Enaholo said the report is very alarming, as it shows that on the average, one out of every 12 Nigerians is infected with the hepatitis virus.

    “The data is worrisome and calls for national preventive actions that should involve every Nigerian. Every stakeholder within the health sector and members of the public has a role to play; either in the area of policy formulation, compliance and living healthy and hygienic lifestyle,” he said.

    Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of the five hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D and E which are transmitted through different routes. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through contaminated food and water; Hepatitis B – through unsafe blood and other bodily fluids; Hepatitis C is transmitted mostly through infectious blood while Hepatitis D serves as an additional infection in the presence of Hepatitis B.

    These viruses cause acute hepatitis which is characterised by fatigue, loss of appetite, fever and jaundice. In addition, hepatitis B and C infections can become chronic leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer.

    Mr Enaholo further said the diseases are preventable, but regretted that most people, especially those living in rural or semi-urban areas of developing countries don’t even know how to prevent them.

    “This is why as a company; we are actively participating in this global campaign by enlightening Nigerians through all possible communication channels, on how they can prevent the hepatitis scourge,” he said.

    He, therefore, advised Nigerians to avoid unsafe blood, unsafe injections and sharing of drug-injection equipment that can result in hepatitis infection. He also maintained that safe and effective vaccine can protect the individual from hepatitis B infection.

  • How to avoid hepatitis

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) and World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) have announced that the campaign theme for World Hepatitis Day 2015 will be on the prevention of viral hepatitis.

    With 400 million people living with hepatitis B and C worldwide, 1.4 million die due to these infections every year and many more become newly infected. Transmission of this virus can be prevented through better awareness and services that improve vaccinations, blood and injection safety, and reduce harm.

    The yeraly campaign, marked on  July 28, aims not only to raise awareness among the general public and infected patients, but also to urgently promote improved access to hepatitis services, particularly prevention interventions, by policymakers.”

    The above paragraphs were taken from the publication of World Health Organisation (WHO), in a bit to mark Hepatitis Day, which is on July 28, 2015. For this reason, I will approach the issues of hepatitis from a question and answer view point.

    Where can I get more information?  As part of the measure to highlight public awareness on hepatitis, Strategic Insight Healthcare is organising a free public health seminar for Saturday 1 August 2015. You may need to call them on 08108652639 to indicate your interest.

    What is hepatitis?  Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver. The liver is one of the largest organs in the body that helps us to metabolise our food, medicines and toxins.

    What causes hepatitis?  Hepatitis can be caused by infections due to viruses or bacteria or even parasites. Hepatitis can also be caused by toxic substances like abuse or misuse of alcohol. For our purpose, our attention will be focused on viral hepatitis.

    What is viral hepatitis?  Let us return to World Health Organization to guide us: “Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of the five hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D and E. They are transmitted through different routes: Hepatitis A and E through contaminated food and water; Hepatitis B – through blood and other bodily fluids; Hepatitis C – mostly through blood; and

    Hepatitis D – serving as an additional infection in the presence of Hepatitis B. These viruses all cause acute hepatitis which is characterized by fatigue, loss of appetite, fever and jaundice. Most persons fully recover, but a small proportion of persons can die from acute hepatitis. In addition, hepatitis B and C infections can become chronic leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is estimated that approximately 1.4 million persons die each year from the various forms of viral hepatitis.”

    Note also that hepatitis B can C be transmitted through sexual intercourse or via blood transfusion, infected fomites. A formite  is any object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms, such as germs or parasites, and hence transferring them from one individual to another. Skin cells, hair, clothing, and bedding are common hospital sources of contamination. At home and in our daily human interactions, common fomite will include shared razor blades, hair cutters or clippers,shared nail clippers, shared knives or anything that may help transmit one infected body fluid from one body to the other. Hepatitis B may also be transmitted to the newborn by the infected mother.

    How can I prevent getting viral hepatitis?  To start with, treatment of viral hepatitis is expensive and arduous. So, prevention is better than cure. Among other measures, it’s important to maintain good personal hygiene at all times. We should live in clean and tidy environment with good ventilation and we should dispose our home and human wastes carefully. Endeavour to drink clean infection-free water that has been well processed. Our food should be well prepared in hygienic environment. Food handlers should be clinically tested and certified free from these viruses.

    Since hepatitis B and C can be transmitted sexually, it makes sense that we need to be careful whom our partners are. You may need to test your regular sexual partner and yourself for these viruses. A “night stand” or sex with a stranger carries a greater risk too.

    Vaccination: Provided a person is free from specific viral hepatitis, the individual can be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. There is no current vaccination for hepatitis C. Children and adult can receive and should receive vaccination as soon as possible. A viral hepatitis B-free sexual partner in whom the other partner is already infected should also be vaccinated as soon as possible.

    Food handlers and concerned individuals can also get vaccination against hepatitis A.

    How do I know if I am infected?  You can be tested by your medical doctor to determine if you habour any of the viral infections. However, if you have ever had yellowish of your eyes with or without body itching and pain in the right side of the abdomen (liver area), then you should exclude if you are carrying any hepatitis viruses. You will need to see a qualified medical doctor as soon as possible for full assessment.

    Is there any treatment if I am infected with any of the viruses?  There is treatment for hepatitis C but extremely expensive. There is treatment for hepatitis B as well. In mild cases, hepatitis infection may go unnoticed or the body may ward off the infection. However, the best approach is to get tested. Don’t make assumptions.

  • Hepatitis still public health problem

    Hepatitis still public health problem

    Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, has been described as a major public health problem in Nigera.

    The disease, according to the Chief Executive Officer, Bolar Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mr Bolade Soremekun, is more prevalent in Nigeria than other developing countries.

    He spoke at the World Hepatitis Day in Lagos.

    He said: “More than two billion people are infected with HBV world-wide while some 300-350 million are chronic carriers, harboring the virus in their liver.  About two million of these carriers die each year as a result of cirrhosis or primary liver cell cancer induced by the virus.  This virus is responsible for 80 per cent of all cases of primary liver cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death in Asia and Africa.”

    Hepatitis, Soremekun said, can be viral, or non-infectious, adding that the latter is very common in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

    He said the former is a virus which infects the liver, stressing that it is present in the blood and body fluids of infected people.

    Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses are responsible for the disease.

    Soremekun said five to 10 per cent of infected adults become chronic carriers.

    Besides, doctors called the inflammation that lasts less than six months acute hepatitis while the one that lasts longer than six months is regarded as chronic hepatitis.

    “When the acute syndrome has not completely resolved or subsided on its own after a 6 month period, the patient is generally considered to have chronic hepatitis,” he said.he continued: “About a quarter of chronic carriers will die from hepatic complications of chronic infection, some remain lifelong carriers while others will clear the infection after varying intervals.

    “Sub-Saharan Africa is considered to be a region which is highly endemic with an average carrier rate of 10 to 20 per cent in the population. This is quite high.

    “In West Africa, it has been estimated that 40 per cent of children will be infected by age two years and above 90 per cent by 10 if not vaccinated. A chronic carrier rate above seven per cent in a population is classified as hyper-endemic.  This is the case with Nigeria.

    Adults who are infected, he said, may have no symptoms or they may become ill. Some of the symptoms are fever, abdominal pain, dark urine, nausea and jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), he added.

    “After infection, most adults recover and become immune to the virus. Some people do not clear the virus, which make them become carriers and, as such, infect others,” he said.

    The pharmacist said chronic hepatitis B infection can cause progressive, degenerative inflammation of the liver, resulting in cirrhosis of the liver or cancer of the liver.

    “Unfortunately, many of the most common prescription medications used to treat the disease are known to cause drug resistance. Newer generations of drugs are still being studied. There may be some help with natural products, or products modified from natural sources. One of these is Hepantivir,” he said.

    On mode of transmission, he said Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person, adding: “Two billion people worldwide have been infected with the virus and about 600 000 people die yearly due to the consequences of the disease.”

    It’s virus, he said, is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV. Hepatitis B and C kill more people than HIV/AIDS.”

    Quoting from the February edition of Annals of Internal Medicine, he said Hepatitis B and C are responsible for more deaths than AIDS/HIV.

    “Hepatitis B is an important occupational hazard for health workers, despite that it is preventable with safe and effective vaccine. The national childhood vaccination programme, however, only started in 2003. This leaves the majority of adults unvaccinated. Where vaccination has been widely used in some countries, it has been very successful.”

  • Hepatitis

    Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Unless further qualified, the term is usually taken to refer to a virus infection of the liver; also known as “infectious hepatitis”. Hepatitis is also (occasionally) a result of a bacterial, protozoan or other microbial infection. There is also Toxic hepatitis which is caused by poisoning of the liver with various chemicals (such as industrial solvents), drugs, or (very rarely) general anaesthetics.

    Virus hepatitis occurs in two basic forms, one of which is called infectious hepatitis (or hepatitis A) and the other, serum hepatitis (or hepatitis B), which is also “infectious”. It is fairly certain that these two conditions, although clinically similar, are caused by different viruses and the modes of transmission are different.

    In Hepatitis B, transmission is mainly by the injection or transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, or by accidental skin pricks or other injuries caused by contaminated needles or other sharp objects. Transmission also occurs from inadequately sterilized hypodermic needles, syringes, surgical and dental instruments, tattooing instruments and razors. Hepatitis B is also common among narcotic addicts and others who use unsterile syringes for drug injections.

    The virus which causes hepatitis A, by contrast, is mostly transmitted in the faeces. Although it can be spread by blood transfusion, the main route is from infective faeces to the mouth via the hands or objects contaminated with the faeces.

    The patient with hepatitis may notice little or nothing wrong, but in more severe cases, the patient will have fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, a severe loss of appetite and aching in the muscles. Then jaundice, caused by an accumulation of yellow bile pigment in the blood, appears after a few days or, in some cases, a week or two from the onset of the symptoms. The liver may become enlarged and tender and may develop cirrhosis. The conditions may lead to death from liver failure.

    In Holistic Lifecare, hepatitis patients are strongly advised to have adequate bed rest, with proper care in the handling of infected excreta. Alcoholic beverages should be strictly avoided.

    The holistic remedy being suggested for Hepatitis is a combination of natural extracts of Eugenia caryophylatta, Musa cavendichii, Citrus lemonis, Euphorbia unispina and Capsicum frutescens,.

  • Hepatitis

    Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Unless further qualified, the term is usually taken to refer to a virus infection of the liver; also known as “infectious hepatitis”. Hepatitis is also (occasionally) a result of a bacterial, protozoan or other microbial infection. There is also Toxic hepatitis which is caused by poisoning of the liver with various chemicals (such as industrial solvents), drugs, or (very rarely) general anaesthetics.

    Virus hepatitis occurs in two basic forms, one of which is called infectious hepatitis (or hepatitis A) and the other, serum hepatitis (or hepatitis B), which is also “infectious”. It is fairly certain that these two conditions, although clinically similar, are caused by different viruses and the modes of transmission are different.

    In Hepatitis B, transmission is mainly by the injection or transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, or by accidental skin pricks or other injuries caused by contaminated needles or other sharp objects. Transmission also occurs from inadequately sterilized hypodermic needles, syringes, surgical and dental instruments, tattooing instruments and razors. Hepatitis B is also common among narcotic addicts and others who use unsterile syringes for drug injections.

    The virus which causes hepatitis A, by contrast, is mostly transmitted in the faeces. Although it can be spread by blood transfusion, the main route is from infective faeces to the mouth via the hands or objects contaminated with the faeces.

     

    The patient with hepatitis may notice little or nothing wrong, but in more severe cases, the patient will have fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, a severe loss of appetite and aching in the muscles. Then jaundice, caused by an accumulation of yellow bile pigment in the blood, appears after a few days or, in some cases, a week or two from the onset of the symptoms. The liver may become enlarged and tender and may develop cirrhosis. The conditions may lead to death from liver failure.

     

    In Holistic Lifecare, hepatitis patients are strongly advised to have adequate bed rest, with proper care in the handling of infected excreta. Alcoholic beverages should be strictly avoided.

    The holistic remedy being suggested for Hepatitis is a combination of natural extracts of Eugenia caryophylatta, Musa cavendichii, Citrus lemonis, Euphorbia unispina and Capsicum frutescens,.

     

    For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call  on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be.

  • NGOs sensitise traders on hepatitis, Ebola

    To prevent another outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), a non-governmental organisation, Geno Hope Alive Foundation, has sensitised traders on the symptoms, prevention and mode of contracting the virus.  It also distributed hand sanitisers to the traders at Census market, Surulere in Lagos State.

    According to the coordinator of the foundation, Mrs Eno Abasi, the gesture was part of the foundation’s effort to reach out to its community, the market people, and sensitise them on the dangers of the virus; what it is all about and how they can protect themselves and the society from its spread.

    She said personal hygiene and disinfecting one’s environment are essential in preventing the disease.

    “Wash your hands with soap regularly under a running tap, fumigate your house, keep your environment void of smells, dirt, cockroach, insects, rat and avoid handshakes and touching of dead bodies. Ebola can spread fast if precaution is not taken and it can be contracted from anyone, even those that are close to you, your family members, co-workers and most especially those working in the Hospitals “ she said.

    She urged the traders to be more cautious in their business, saying that the market is an open place.

    “Do not allow customers to touch your goods anyhow; they should only touch what they want to buy so that they will not spread Ebola on your goods. “

    In the same vein, the Oshodi Noble Heritage (ONH) in conjunction with Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Alimosho branch Lagos, has organised a sensitisation programme for the people of Alimosho community on the need for them to take care of their health, especially managing hepatitis and the Ebola virus disease.

    According to the FOMWAN Amira, Alhaja Sherifat Ajagbe, and the Secretary of the Oshodi Noble Heritage, Mr Rasheed Olawale, the sensitisation is to educate the women to know their health status and carry out regular medical check-ups to keep themselves healthy.

    Alhaja Ajagbe said the health enlightenment was to help the women maintain their health and go for regular checkups.

    “We set out to enlighten our women on how they can live a healthy life that will keep them going in life, it is also to enlighten them on the need for them to always remain hygienic so as to prevent the deadly Ebola virus,” she said.

    The guest speaker on the occasion, Dr Abdul Lateef Akegbeyale, took the women through the dangers of hepatitis B and advised them on how to tackle it.

    “Hepatitis is deadly. As women you need to go for medical checkups to know your status, if you give birth, the hepatitis injection will be given free of charge at general hospitals, so, take your children there for prevention of this disease,” he said.

    Giving reason for the public health enlightenment, Secretary to the Oshodi Noble Heritage Mr Rasheed Olawale said it was meant to guide the women on how to protect themselves against hepatitis which, he said, is deadlier than HIV.

    “We have come to hold a sensitisation for the women of Alimosho on their health in ensuring that they get to know more about the deadly diseases; Ebola and Hepatitis because it was said by the UN that in every eight person one person is infected by hepatitis, but it is unfortunate that people don’t know this disease is deadlier than HIV, so that is why we took it a duty because public health enlightenment is one of our cardinal programmes,” he said.

    Medical checkups were carried out during the programme.

    The Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) has also stressed the need for regular hand washing with soap and water.

    Its chairman, Mr Olufemi Adebayo said hand washing is the most effective way of preventing diseases, such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)  and diarrhoea.

    He said a good hygiene should include clean hands, adding that this would prevent EVD and other infectious diseases.

    Adebayo said regular hand washing will help Nigeria attain Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.Also, the Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria has advised the Federal Government on the need to sustain the partnership with World Health Organisation, (WHO), in the containment of Ebola Virus and other diseases in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of its 37/38 Annual Conference and General Business Meeting, held at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, the society said there are other infectious diseases that need adequate attention as well.

    The communiqué signed by the society Editor-In-Chief, Sam Wobo, stated: “Nigerians are afflicted by a number of parastic/infectious diseases which do not attract headlines like the dreaded Ebola virus, adding that the diseases are often neglected because they afflict the poor and their signs and symptoms are not as severe as Ebola. The society appeals to you all the participants to educate their communities on safety precautions in particular, the importance of hygiene to contain Ebola and other infectious diseases.”

    It said further: “Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and other development agencies should not be left out in the containment of the diseases, the critical roles of African research and development institutions are important in the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTD), through advocacy, partnership/collaborations, capacity building and adequate funding.

    “The society believes in the sustenance of operational research with community participation as a major tool/strategy in the control/elimination of parasitic and other infectious diseases based on the inspiring example of river blindness control in Africa, the urgent need for qualitative studies on the impacts of human migration on the prevalence and persistence of parasitic and other infectious diseases in Africa.”

     

  • Taraba, firm collaborate to fight Hepatitis

    Taraba State and Roche,a biotech company, are to work together to check the rise in  Hepatitis condition.

    At a ceremony to mark the treatment, prevention and capacity building partnership between the state and the company, Acting Governor Garba Umar, said government was worried about the increasing number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C .

    Umar said he lost a son to Hepatitis B in 2005, “I lost my first son, Major Umar to Hepatitis B in 2005.

    “Umar was serving with the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Sierra Leone, but the disease was not diagnosed in Sierra Leone until he took ill and was admitted at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). By the time he was diagnosed and it was found to be Hepatitis, it was too late. So I know how it feels to be affected or even infected with Hepatitis B. If Roche had been around to render this assistance we are getting now, may be my son would have been alive.”

    Umar said lack of access to information especially on prevention, treatment and specialist care were major impediments to managing and responding to the disease.

    Umar said his admnistration  would rid the state of the disease, adding: “I am happy Roche is partnering with us to address this disease and if the terms of the partnership are anything to go by, then we are on our way to making significant progress as far as Hepatitis B response is concerned”, he said.

    Roche Market Access Manager, Chukwudi Ehibudu, who represented Roche Nigeria Country Manager, Herman Addae  said findings from a survey of blood donors in a chosen facility showed that about four out of every 10 blood donors in that particular blood bank had Hepatitis B or C.

    Ehibudu said Roche would  provide free Hepatitis testing for those willing,   provide viral load testing machine, increase access to affordable treatment for those who would require treatment and capacity building for doctors on Hepatitis management, care and support.

    He said: “Taraba State currently has one Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist in the person of Dr. Aisha Adamu.

    “Considering the size of Taraba state and the number of patients to care for, there would be need for increased capacity, hence Roche would be conducting a series of specialised training for doctors in the state as part of this partnership.”

    Dr Adamu said, ‘’Hepatitis B virus is one of the most infectious viruses in the world and could singularly lead to liver failure, cancer and untimely death in infected persons.

    “Unlike HIV, it can stay on a surface for about seven days and it is 100 times more infectious than HIV and an infected person can spread it in a household, hence we are saying it is closer than you think.”

  • Firm partner Taraba govt to combat Hepatitis B

    Firm partner Taraba govt to combat Hepatitis B

    Taraba state government is worried about the increasing number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C in the state and are making efforts to address the situation.

    Personally leading this response is the acting governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar who himself has lost a son to Hepatitis B in 2005.

    “I lost my first son, Major Umar to Hepatitis B in 2005”, said governor Umar in an emotion laden voice.

    “Umar was serving with the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Sierra Leone, but the disease was not diagnosed in Sierra Leone until he took ill and was admitted at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). By the time he was diagnosed and they found out it was Hepatitis, it was too late. So I know how it feels to be affected or even infected with Hepatitis B. If Roche had been around to render this assistance we are getting now may be my son would have been alive”, Umar added while lamenting the lack of access to information especially prevention, treatment and specialist care as major impediments to managing and respond to the disease.

    Speaking during a formal ceremony to mark a treatment, prevention and capacity building partnership with Roche, governor Umar, said the state government would do everything possible to save the lives of the people of the state and rid the state of the disease.

    “I am happy Roche is partnering with us to address this disease and if the terms of the partnership is anything to go by, then we are on our way to making significant progress as far as Hepatitis B response is concerned,” he said.

    Hepatitis B virus is one of the most infectious viruses in the world and could singularly lead to liver failure, cancer and untimely death in infected persons,” says Dr. Aisha Adamu during a media training and capacity building workshop for journalists in Jalingo on Hepatitis reporting.

    “Unlike HIV, it can stay on a surface for about seven days and it is 100 times more infectious than HIV and when an infected person can spread it in a household hence we say we are saying it is closer than you think,” She added.

    Although no official figures currently exists on the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in the state, findings from a facility based survey of blood donors in the state indicate that about 4 out of every 10 blood donors in that particular blood bank had hepatitis B or C -a situation that warranted the need for urgent steps to address the burden of Hepatitis facing the state while leveraging on support from pharmaceutical giant- Roche.

    Part of Roche’s support to the state would include provision of free Hepatitis testing for people who would be willing to screen for Hepatitis, provision of viral load testing machine, increased access to affordable treatment for those who would require treatment as well as capacity building for doctors on Hepatitis management, care and support.

    “Taraba state currently has one consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist in the person of Dr. Aisha Adamu,” disclosed Chukwudi Ehibudu Roche’s Market Access Manager who represented Roche Nigeria Country Manager, Herman Addae at the press conference.

    “Considering the size of Taraba state and the of number of patients to care for, there would be need for increased capacity hence Roche would be conducting series of specialised training for doctors in Taraba state as part of this partnership,” he added.