Experts have said about 20 million Nigerians are carriers
of the hepatitis
virus, describing the disease as a silent killer among Nigerians.
They added that eliminating viral hepatitis was capable of
increasing economic growth and save 7.1 million lives by 2030.
A Senior Research Fellow and Consultant Pediatrician at the
University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Damien Nwaneri, disclosed this at
the commencement of a three-day Hepatitis B Awareness and Prevention Campaign,
which held in Lagos over the weekend.
Nwaneri described Hepatitis B as the inflammation of the
liver tissues, noting that it carries high morbidity.
“Therefore, emphasis should be on prevention, because
treatment is not always complete,” Nwaneri counselled.
While alerting that a reasonable number of infected
persons carry the virus for life, he advised every adult Nigerian to go
for screening in order to ascertain their Hepatitis status.
He also urged those who are infected to go for
vaccination.
“There are different types of hepatitis. They include
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E. Approximately 20 percent of Nigerians have hepatitis.
“There are different types of hepatitis. Hepatitis B is an
inflammation of the liver tissues and it carries high morbidity rate.
““It is advised that all adult Nigerians should go for
testing to ascertain their hepatitis status and to undergo treatment if
infected.
“However, the emphasis should be on awareness and
preventive because the treatment is not always complete, as some carriers of
the virus carry it for life,” Nwaneri, who is also the Senior Medical
Consultant to Development Africa, stated.
Development Africa is a charity and international
non-governmental organisation, with a mission to build sustainable and
accessible solutions to promote health care and education.
The three-day event was sponsored by Total Upstream
Companies in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation, Sapetro, Petrobras and CNOOC.
External General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility,
Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Vincent Nnadi, also disclosed that while
hepatitis kills 1.4 million annually, eradicating it will boost economic growth
and save 1.7 million lives by 2030.
“Total is committed to impacting lives of all people of
Nigeria. As part of our corporate social responsibility, we partner with
governmental, non-governmental organisations and other relevant agencies and
stakeholders to fight Hepatitis B in Nigeria.
“This year’s campaign is dedicated to creating and
increasing awareness; and also combating hepatitis infection.
“Globally, Hepatitis B kills 1.4 million people annually.
The Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria also confirmed that 20 million
Nigerians are at risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver and cancer of the
liver, which are possible complications of Hepatitis B infection.
“This therefore explains why our organisation is determined
to partner with all stakeholders to eradicate the disease from our
environment.
“Unlike other diseases, the solution exists. With the
prevalence of highly effective preventive vaccine and treatment available for
Hepatitis B, the elimination of this cancer-causing disease can be achieved.
“Eliminating viral hepatitis can increase economic growth
and save 7.1 million lives by 2030,” Nnadi stated.
Highlights of the event included free Hepatitis B
screening, community training and awareness for residents of Ikota community
and environs.
Others were training for health care providers, awareness
talks for selected senior secondary school students of the Olomu Senior Secondary
School, Ikota, in the Etti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
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