Hepatitis: An Under-Estimated Evil

Thursday, July 28, 2016 was World Hepatitis
Day. As part of events for the day, the United Nations and nations around the world called attention to the existence of the disease and encouraged humans to take steps to mitigate its effects. As usual, that may be all that some persons may hear about hepatitis until this time next year.
Because the world did not identify the areas requiring intervention years ago, nor set targets, it is difficult to measure the progress made in tackling hepatitis. The same is the problem for countries where the subject is only associated with alarm and lip-service.
Once again, the World Health Organisation has restated the fact that hepatitis is a serious public health problem in the world. WHO also states that hepatitis is 10 times more infectious than HIV and called on governments to step up awareness of the dangers of viral hepatitis on the one hand, and the increasing access to testing and treatment of the disease.
According to UN sources, the world had ignored hepatitis at its peril, as more than 400 million persons are affected globally, out of which 700,000 die annually. Apparently, this statistics may be far from the fact because it is said that only one in 20 persons know that they are infected, while only one in 100 persons have access to treatment.
To prepare the population for the disease, the world body advises that only the type of global response given to HIV/AIDS will suffice. This is more so because even the mode of infection is similar to that of HIV/AIDS. The disease is transmitted through blood transmission, use of contaminated needles, unsafe sex and mother and child infection among others.
The spread and effect of the disease is also fed by ignorance and limited knowledge on how well to respond to it. Even the symptoms are deceptive and capable of being mistaken for other ailments. Those infected often come down with exhaustion, jaundice, abdominal pain and loss of appetite.
The Tide wishes to underscore the statement that the virus is as disturbing as it is ripe for a national emergency. Apart from the suggestion that early detection could lead to full cure, Hepatitis which comes in three strains behave differently, as some only have vaccines and cannot be cured.
The risk posed by hepatitis is even worse in the developing countries where health services are still below the world standard. Similarly, the commitment of governments to make available the vaccines is another challenge, as the cost of treatment of the disease may also be beyond the means of many families.
This is why the world must re-commit to the eradication of hepatitis through a combination of therapies. It will also require robust enlightenment because it can be spread through some human activities that cannot be avoided. The point is that even if humans begin to be sexually responsible, there is very little people can do for persons who must take blood or injection to live.
Perhaps, every nation should do a study that would reveal the most prevalent mode of infection in each country and develop strategies of dealing with them. The various health institutions and ministries should also compare notes and form definite and dependable processes against hepatitis.
We expect that Nigeria will not wait and only react to the virus that is most likely to mutate and create more challenges for humanity. Nigeria must have all the credible information on the virus and identify the appropriate remedies so as to attach targets and time lines. This is the only way governments can have a handle on the situation and follow up with appropriate policies and funding.
For Nigeria, everybody may need to pray as prevailing socio-political realities may not find space for this matter of urgent national emergency. Apart from the enthronement of a dangerous political culture in the country, the avowed focus on the fight against corruption and claims of dwindling economy may not allow the government to recognise the imminent health doom.
On the other hand, Nigeria must do everything to take her place on the global stand against hepatitis. The failure to do so for any reason can be very regrettable.