Nassarawa Targets 124,000 For Hepatitis Treatment

As the World Health Organisation raises an alarm over rising hepatitis, the Nasarawa State Government has revealed plans to treat 124,000 persons for hepatitis.
Already, a recent screening by the health ministry shows no fewer than 23,224 residents of the state testing positive to the viral Hepatitis B and C.
The Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Janet Angbazo, made the disclosure during a press briefing held in commemoration of the 2023 World Hepatitis Day, tagged “We are not waiting, one life, and one liver”, in Lafia last Monday.
She explained that a total of 229,682 individuals were screened but out of the figure, 23,224 residents tested positive for the disease. Adding that some of the infected persons were presently taking treatments in government hospitals across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state.
She said, “The World Hepatitis Day, is a day set aside by the World Health Organization to recognise viral Hepatitis as a global Public Health Challenge. It is commemorated every year to increase the visibility of the disease and attract more resources for the battle against it, as well as to bring succor to the people affected by the viral Hepatitis.
“I am here today to bring attention to the high burden of Hepatitis B & C in Nasarawa State, which surpasses the national average. Recognising the urgency of this issue, the Nasarawa State government has committed to a five-year hepatitis B and C elimination plan. This ambitious plan aims to treat approximately 124,000 individuals within the next five years.
“It is the high burden of this dreaded disease in the state that led the state Ministry of Health with support from Clinton Health Access Initiative to establish the State’s Viral Hepatitis Control Program, creating an enabling policy environment to drive access to HBV/HCV diagnostic and treatment services.
“I am delighted to report that significant progress has been made in the fight against Hepatitis in our state. As of now, 97 Healthcare workers have been trained across 17 Healthcare facilities, and we have achieved micro elimination in three facilities in Awe, Keana, and Doma LGAs.