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By Akpan David, Calabar
Director general of Cross River State primary healthcare development agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has called for intensive enlightenment so that the people can understand the grave dangers of the ailment called Hepatitis, especially the Hepatitis Band C.
He said the people must know the different precautions available to guide them.
Speaking on the streets of Calabar where, representing the wife of the state governor, Dr Linda Ayade, she led a sensitisation walk, she said hepatitis is the world’s deadliest disease.
Dr Ekpenyong disclosed that, the prevalence of Hepatitis particularly
Hepatitis Band C in the state,calls for intensified Sensitization and precautions in order to effectively manage it’s spread.
She said, considering that the disease is highly infectious and a silent killer, it is important people have understanding of what Hepatitis is, its signs and symptoms as well as its mode of transmission with unprotected sexual activities, blood transfusion and sharing of sharp objects are the major means of getting infected with Hepatitis B and C virus.
She noted that with this year’s theme : ” Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer to You”, the focus is now facility and community oriented as she promised that, the screening will now be done in as many facilities as possible to encourage people to voluntarily get themselves tested , vaccinated and treated as the case may be.
” We are encouraging all of our people to come and get tested for Hepatitis. The most common among us are the type B and C which affected over 70 million people in Africa in 2021 and over 20 million people in Nigeria according to the World Health Organization.
“We are ensuring that, we get the necessary kits and attention to our various Healthcare centres within our respective communities in order to encourage our people to voluntarily go into facilities for screening and vaccination.
“We have mandated all of our personnel to carry out screening for all pregnant women who come in for antenatal services just like the practice with HIV.”
She disclosed that over 500 people were screened and vaccinated yesterday, adding that they have set up a special team to visit Boki Local Government Area which records the highest number of Hepatitis infection in the state.
She assured that the state is ready to combat the virus and possibly put an end to Hepatitis related deaths.
She appealed to federal government and international organizations to pay attention to Hepatitis by ensuring free access to testing as well as Vaccination, worrying that currently, such services are not free.
Another expert, Dr Mbang Ada, a consultant Gastro Enterology highlighted the common symptoms of the diseases ranging from fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, jaundice, weight loss etc.
She also reiterated the need for pregnant women to be tested and those positive should ensure that their babies receive the special vaccine that will protect them against the disease.
She encouraged Cross Riverians not to wait for government, but should take the leap and get tested and vaccinated.
The expert explained that Hepatitis virus is a highly infectious disease, there are 5 major types A,B,C,D and E. A and D are usually linked to transmission via fecal oral route, contaminated water etc, while the common ones B and C are found in blood and certain body fluids. It is spread when a person who is not immune comes in contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person with it’s common causes including unprotected sexual activities with infected persons, fluid and blood contacts among others.
Covid-19 vaccination and condom distribution were also integrated in the services provided.
