The Nasarawa State Government has implemented a proactive testing strategy to enhance the accessibility of screening services and incorporate diagnosis for Hepatitis B and C in the state.
Despite this initiative, the government has raised concerns regarding the increasing instances of Hepatitis B infections in the region, advising residents to undergo testing and vaccination.
Dr. Gaza Gwamna, the Commissioner for Health, communicated this during a press briefing in Lafia to mark the World Hepatitis Day 2024.
He highlighted that the prevalence of viral hepatitis in the state surpasses the national average, necessitating significant attention from the government.
As per the commissioner, the prevalence rate for Hepatitis B stands at approximately 17%, while that of Hepatitis C is 13.2%, exceeding the national levels of 8.1% for Hepatitis B and 1.1% for Hepatitis C.
Furthermore, he mentioned that over 220,000 individuals have already been screened by the state government, with 3,000 individuals receiving treatment in the 13 local government areas of Nasarawa State.
“The state has a five-year strategic plan to eliminate Hepatitis C with a target to screen 2.4 million and treat 124,000 people by the year 2030. We have established a state viral hepatitis desk to localise the national guidelines and ensure swift access to services.
“We have also decentralised the care for viral hepatitis from solely the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia to Secondary and Primary Healthcare Centres via a public health approach.
“Also, we have activated a provider-initiated testing approach to increase access to screening services and integrated Hepatitis B and C diagnosis.
“So, we are urging all the residents to take the issue of vaccination very seriously, to enable us to reduce the spread of hepatitis in the state,” he added.
The commissioner announced that the ministry has successfully negotiated a significant price reduction for hepatitis treatment drugs, making them more accessible and affordable.
Additionally, the government has dispatched a medical team to conduct free hepatitis outreach programs across the state’s 13 local government areas, with a focus on high-prevalence areas such as Doma, Karu, Wamba, and Obi.
