By Daniel Tyokua
The minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has said the administration was working keenly with development partners to address hepatitis.
She stated this on Thursday during the flag – off of activities to mark this’s year hepatitis day.
The minister who was represented by the executive secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Board, Dr Yahaya Vatsa, said the administration was committed towards ending the disease by 2030.
She said the administration is ready and prepare to align with World Health Organization and other critical stakeholders to achieve hepatitis B, C, and D elimination by 2030.
Mrs Aliyu explained that the administration will remain resolute in working with other critical stakeholders and development partners, to reduce new infections of hepatitis B and C by 90 %, as well as reduce hepatitis related deaths from liver cirrhosis and cancer by 65%.
She also stressed the need to accelerate the fight against the viral hepatitis and the importance of testing and treatment for the real people who need it, in order to preserve its productive demography.
Aliyu, while depicting the worrisome impact of the disease, said “With the negative impact of the disease resulting to deaths in every 30 seconds from a hepatitis related illness, it is obvious that we have no other option but immediately act on viral hepatitis. It is also worthy of note to point that people living with viral hepatitis unaware can’t wait for testing.”
She decried a situation where communities in the FCT particularly those in the hard-to-reach areas, lack access to hepatitis diagnostics, treatment and preventive interventions.
“Unfortunately, individuals who have incidental screening at blood donation centers or when having laboratory evaluations for other health conditions, even when they realise often lack the knowledge of what to do to manage the situation and most of them are left in the hands of quacks or pay huge sums at some random health facilities to have even suboptimal care.
“As you may be aware, the Public Health Department, Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA with partners, had in the past, evaluated health workers in District Hospitals and other Departments, and Agencies. The findings were appalling as much over 50% of personnel were positive and many others needed hepatitis B vaccinations.
“This goes to show that there is uncoordinated Hepatitis B screening taking place in various communities of the FCT with clients not adequately counselled and managed hence most of them resort to self-help.”
