LAGOS STRENGTHENS EFFORTS TO COMBAT HEPATITIS AMID RISING PREVALENCE

… Marks Y2024 World Hepatitis Day with Symposium

… Tasks Residents on Preventive Measures

… Screens, Vaccinates Over 5,000 Residents

The Lagos State Government has taken significant strides in the fight against Hepatitis, launching comprehensive initiatives to curb the spread of the virus.

Speaking at a symposium held at Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the World Hepatitis Day in Lagos on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye outlined the state’s efforts, including subsidised Hepatitis C testing, vaccination of residents, and extensive community outreach programmes aimed at reducing the disease’s impact on the population.

Dr. Ogboye emphasised that the fight against viral Hepatitis must be intensified to address the 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Hepatitis reports, which indicate that deaths resulting from viral Hepatitis have become the second leading cause of death, with about 1.3 million deaths annually, globally, 100 times more than HIV/AIDS. He highlighted that a baseline report showed a higher prevalence of Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) in Lagos compared to the national average.

He said, “In 2016, a baseline assessment conducted with support from the Lagos State Government showed a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV (5% and 1%) when compared to the national average. These figures suggest that an estimated 2 million and 200,000 Lagosians are chronically infected with Hepatitis B & C, all of whom are at risk of developing cirrhosis and primary liver cancer if left untreated.”

Explaining the significant steps taken by the state government towards mitigating Hepatitis, the Permanent Secretary said the state launched the Hepatitis Control Program in 2017 with a dedicated budget line. Dr. Ogboye disclosed that the state government has provided access to Hepatitis C viral load testing at subsidized prices, stressing that 435 Hepatitis C viral load tests have been performed in two diagnostic facilities in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). He added that the state government has also screened and vaccinated about 5,000 individuals, primarily health workers, across the state.

“The state government has provided access to Hepatitis C Viral Load testing at subsidized prices. About 435 Hepatitis C Viral Load tests have been performed thus far in two diagnostic facilities in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). Recently, the state has also provided screening and vaccination for over 5,000 persons, mainly healthcare workers, complemented by extensive community outreach programmes”, he said.

Reaffirming the commitment of the current administration to the fight against viral Hepatitis, Dr. Ogboye commended stakeholders for supporting the state government in this effort. He assured that the government would continue to engage relevant stakeholders and citizens in the prevention and control of the disease while implementing strategies to eliminate the scourge of infections in the state.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director of Disease Control in the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite explained that Hepatitis viral infection causes liver inflammation and damage and remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases, accounting for over 1.3 million deaths yearly. He further stated that the Y2024 World Hepatitis Day Celebration, themed: “It is time for Action”, aims to raise public awareness of Hepatitis’s devastating effects and to upscale efforts to end the global scourge.

“We gather on this crucial day to mark World Hepatitis Day to raise public awareness about the devastating effect of Hepatitis on health and to scale up efforts to end the global scourge”, he said.

Speaking in the same vein, the Lagos State Viral Hepatitis Control Programme Coordinator, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho stated that beyond the World Hepatitis Day celebration, the State Ministry of Health has been consistently conducting community awareness campaigns. “These campaigns aim to inform citizens about the government’s prevention and control strategies and provide basic information on where and when to seek medical intervention against the deadly disease”, she said.

Dr. Erinosho commended the commitment of the Lagos State government toward the prevention, care, increased awareness and treatment of Viral Hepatitis. She assured that the government is intensifying efforts to reduce mortality rates due to the disease by 95% and 65% respectively by 2030.

The symposium lecturer, a Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. Rufina Igetei noted that about 90 to 95% of Nigerians acquire the infection in childhood, either through the placenta from an infected mother or through childhood spread. Dr. Rufina urged residents to take precautions against the deadly disease by getting tested and vaccinated, maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene and avoiding the sharing of sharp objects.