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Lagos State Strengthens Its Efforts To Combat Hepatitis

• By Rich Health News Desk
• August 14, 2024

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, gave a speech at a symposium held at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, Alausa, Ikeja, on Wednesday to commemorate World Hepatitis Day in Lagos. He outlined the state's efforts, which include resident vaccination campaigns, free Hepatitis C testing, and extensive community outreach programs aimed at lessening the disease's impact on the populace.

 

In response to the 2024 World Health Organization (WHO) Global Hepatitis reports, which show that viral Hepatitis is now the second leading cause of death worldwide with approximately 1.3 million deaths annually—100 times more than HIV/AIDS—Dr. Ogboye emphasized that the fight against viral Hepatitis must be intensified. He emphasized that, in comparison to the national average, a baseline report revealed a greater prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) in Lagos.

 

"In 2016, a baseline assessment carried out with the Lagos State Government's assistance revealed a greater prevalence of HBV and HCV (5% and 1%), respectively, in comparison to the national average," the speaker stated. According to these estimates, between two million and two hundred thousand Lagosians have chronic Hepatitis B and C infections. If treatment is not received, these individuals all run the danger of developing cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.

 

The Permanent Secretary provided an explanation of the noteworthy measures the state government has taken to reduce the spread of hepatitis. He stated that the program was started in 2017 and that a specific budget line was allocated for it. Speaking about the state government's provision of subsidized access to Hepatitis C viral load testing, Dr. Ogboye emphasized that 435 tests had been conducted at two diagnostic centers in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). He continued by saying that the state government has also immunized and tested roughly 5,000 people in the state, mostly health staff.

 

Hepatitis C viral load testing is now affordable thanks to state government subsidies. In partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), two diagnostic centers have conducted about 435 Hepatitis C Viral Load testing thus far. In addition, the state recently conducted large community outreach programs in addition to providing screening and vaccinations for over 5,000 individuals, the majority of whom were healthcare personnel, he said.

 

Dr. Ogboye congratulated stakeholders for aiding the state government in the fight against viral hepatitis and reaffirmed the administration's commitment to this cause. He gave his word that although plans were being put in place to end the state's infection problem, the government would not stop involving pertinent parties and residents in the prevention and management of the illness.

 

The State Ministry of Health's Director of Disease Control, Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite, had earlier in his speech described how the hepatitis virus is one of the deadliest infectious diseases, causing over 1.3 million deaths annually and causing inflammation and damage to the liver. He went on to say that the World Hepatitis Day Celebration in 2024, with the theme "It is time for Action," intends to increase public awareness of the terrible impacts of hepatitis and to step up efforts to put an end to the worldwide pandemic.

 

"We are coming together on this historic World Hepatitis Day to increase public awareness of the severe health effects of hepatitis and to intensify efforts to end the worldwide pandemic," he stated.

In a similar spirit, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, coordinator of the Lagos State viral hepatitis control program, said that the State Ministry of Health has been regularly launching community awareness initiatives outside of the World Hepatitis Day event. "These campaigns aim to provide basic information on where and when to seek medical intervention against the deadly disease as well as educate citizens about the government's prevention and control strategies," the spokesperson stated.

 

Dr. Erinosho applauded the Lagos State government's dedication to the treatment, care, raising awareness, and prevention of viral hepatitis. She gave assurance that the government is stepping up its efforts to lower disease-related death rates by 95% and 65%, respectively, by 2030.

 

Dr. Rufina Igetei, a consultant gastroenterologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the symposium speaker, stated that 90 to 95 percent of Nigerians contract the virus during children, either through childhood transmission or through the placenta of an infected mother. In order to protect themselves and their surroundings from the fatal illness, Dr. Rufina advised locals to get checked and vaccinated, practice good personal and environmental hygiene, and refrain from sharing sharp objects.