In a concerted effort to tackle the rising cases of hepatitis in Bauchi State, a three-day free hepatitis screening, counseling, and vaccination outreach was successfully conducted across Kirfi, Tudu, and Shafa communities.
The medical intervention, organized by Shafa Foundation in collaboration with the Community Initiative for Healthy and Peaceful Society (CHIPS) and the Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria, recorded a massive turnout and significant impact on public health in the area.
The outreach was declared open by Dr. Sabo Umar Mustapha, the team leader and Head of Internal Medicine at Abubakar Sani Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.
Speaking at the flag-off, Dr. Mustapha explained that the team selected Kirfi and its surrounding communities due to the alarming prevalence rate of hepatitis in the area. “We decided to bring this exercise here because of the high number of reported hepatitis cases. It’s our responsibility to intervene before it gets out of hand,” he stated.
In his welcome remarks, the Director of Primary Health Care in Kirfi Local Government Area, Mallam Hairy Muhammad, expressed appreciation to the visiting medical team for choosing the hospital and the communities for the outreach. “We are deeply grateful for this gesture. It will go a long way in saving lives and increasing awareness,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Mai Gunduma of Kirfi, Alhaji Kawuji Abubakar, lauded the team’s selfless service. He described the outreach as timely and beneficial, offering heartfelt prayers for the continuation of such humanitarian efforts in the future.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude to the organizing team. In their separate remarks, they described the initiative as a “lifesaving opportunity” and commended the medical personnel for their kindness, professionalism, and commitment.
Outreach Results:
Over the three-day period, a total of 1,283 individuals were screened, out of which 1,096 were vaccinated, and 125 were confirmed positive for hepatitis. Below is the breakdown per location:
Kirfi:
Screened – 399
Vaccinated – 309
Positive – 44
Shafa:
Screened – 254
Vaccinated – 245
Positive – 17
Tudu:
Screened – 634
Vaccinated – 542
Positive – 64
The outreach has not only helped to identify and support hepatitis patients but also provided preventive vaccines to hundreds of residents, especially in underserved rural areas, and it is expected that the vaccinated individuals will complete the remaining two doses of the vaccine when the time is due.
The organizers reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the program to other vulnerable communities, emphasizing the need for continued partnerships to combat hepatitis and other public health challenges in Bauchi State.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.