World Hepatitis Day: NGO conducts free Hepatitis test in Nasarawa

An NGO, Beacon Youth Initiative (BYI) on Friday said it would begin free Hepatitis B and C testing for no fewer than 400 people in Lafia.

Mr Emmanuel Envo-Okolo, the Executive Director of the organisation told newsmen in Lafia that the free testing was part of the activities to mark the 2017 World Hepatitis Day.

Our correspondent reports that theme of 2017 World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is: “Eliminate Hepatitis’’.

It was reported that Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes the inflammation of the liver and transmitted through body fluid and contaminated food.

Envo-Okolo said that the event would also feature awareness rally on viral Hepatitis and vaccination for those who tested positive to Hepatitis B and C for a token.

He said that BYI has carried out free Hepatitis B and C testing and vaccination for no fewer than 84, 000 people since its establishment in 2011.

“Available information indicates that about 25 million people in Nigeria are affected by hepatitis; most of whom are not aware.

“Also, 1.4 million people die from the disease globally every year, while about 240 million were currently living with the chronic infection.

“The prevalence of viral hepatitis is high and the people are uninformed about this silent killer, thereby increasing the chances of the infection,’’ Envo-Okolo said.

He said that the task of eliminating viral hepatitis was not a public health goal, but a collective responsibility of all citizens, irrespective of age, gender and societal status.

Envo-Okolo said that marking of the day was a call to action for all to get involved toward greater awareness, increased diagnosis, universal vaccination and treatment.

“It is in this light that BYI is joining other partners to celebrate the launch of NOhep, the global movement aimed at eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030,” he said.

Envo-Okolo called on the three tiers of government and other stakeholders to take step toward eliminating viral hepatitis by scaling up testing, vaccination and treatment.