Sen. Katung inaugurates hepatitis B, C screening in Southern Kaduna

Sunday Katung (APC-Kaduna South) has inaugurated screening and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C in Kaduna South Senatorial District, targeting residents under a public health intervention programme initiative

The project, inaugurated in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, seeks to expand access to screening, treatment, vaccination, and prevention services for more than 620,000 residents across constituency areas.

Speaking during the exercise themed “Project 365” in Kafanchan on Friday, Katung said the initiative was designed to stop the spread of hepatitis B and C across Southern Kaduna communities.

He added that it formed part of a broader public health intervention programme rollout aimed at improving prevention, screening, and treatment services in the region.

He described viral hepatitis as a silent killer responsible for numerous deaths that often went unnoticed across communities in Southern Kaduna and surrounding rural areas.

According to him, millions live with hepatitis unknowingly and without early detection and treatment it can progress to severe liver diseases including cirrhosis and cancer.

He said the programme would provide free screening, vaccination, treatment support, and sustained awareness campaigns across the eight local government areas of Kaduna South Senatorial District with integrated primary healthcare outreach strategy implementation.

In his remarks Gov. Uba Sani represented by his deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, described the intervention as timely and people-centred commending efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state government perspective.

Uba emphasised prevention, noting that hepatitis B and C were transmitted through infected blood, unsafe injections, unscreened blood transfusions, and sharing of sharp objects.

He urged vaccination, routine testing, and sustained public awareness campaigns as key measures for reducing infections and improving community health outcomes.

Prof. Muhammad Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, said the initiative aligned with President Tinubu’s health reforms.

Pate was represented by Dr Michael Kingsley, Head of the Viral Hepatitis component at the ministry.

He said that the reforms were aimed at strengthening the primary healthcare delivery system nationwide and improving access to essential health services across communities.

Pate added that the programme would be expanded nationwide, strengthening efforts to improve access to hepatitis screening, treatment, and prevention services across the country.

Our correspondent reports that traditional and religious leaders pledged support for the initiative.

Residents also expressed optimism about the programme, which is scheduled to run from April 13 to May 29, 2026, across health centres.