The Adamawa Government says it has screened no fewer than 240,000 residents for hepatitis during an ongoing outreach campaign.
Mr Muhammed Jada, Commissioner for Health and Human Services, disclosed this on Tuesday in Yola during the commemoration of World Hepatitis Day.
According to Jada, the screening exercise was targeting about 300,000 people in Yola South Local Government Area, however, over 240,000 residents have been tested.
He said the campaign outreach formed part of activities to raise awareness and promote early detection of hepatitis.
Jada said many infected persons remained unaware of their status until severe complications, including liver cirrhosis and liver cancer developed.
He described awareness, early testing, vaccination and timely treatment as critical measures in reducing the burden of the disease.
According to him, the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” underscores the need to remove barriers to awareness, testing, treatment and care.
“We must also break down the stigma and misconceptions surrounding hepatitis so that those affected can seek care without fear or discrimination,” he said.
Jada said the state government remained committed to strengthening hepatitis prevention and control through routine childhood immunisation and other public health interventions.
He listed the interventions to include: improved infection prevention and control practices, blood safety, public awareness campaigns, expansion of screening services and increased access to treatment in line with national and global strategies.
Earlier, Dr Aiden Amzaranda, Executive Chairman, Adamawa Health Management Service Board, described the prevalence of hepatitis in the state as alarming.
Amzaranda said a recent report from Garkida General Hospital in Gombi area of the state indicated that about 120 of 400 people screened tested positive for hepatitis.
He urged residents to take advantage of the free screening exercise, stressing that hepatitis was preventable and treatable through early detection and proper medical care.
Amzaranda reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting residents’ health and ensuring that no one was left behind in the fight against hepatitis.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viral Infection.
