Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, revealed that the state has subsidized Hepatitis C testing and vaccinated over 5,000 residents to minimize the disease’s impact.
At a World Hepatitis Day symposium in Lagos, Ogboye emphasized the need to intensify efforts against viral Hepatitis, citing the WHO’s 2024 report, which shows 1.3 million annual global deaths from the disease, surpassing HIV/AIDS fatalities. With 354 million people worldwide living with Hepatitis B or C, and Lagos exhibiting a higher prevalence than the national average, the state is taking action to raise awareness and combat the virus.
The WHO defines Hepatitis as liver inflammation caused by infectious and non-infectious agents, leading to various health issues.
World Hepatitis Day, observed on July 28, aims to raise awareness, with the 2024 theme being “It’s time for action.”
Ogboye noted that the WHO report highlights a higher Hepatitis prevalence in Lagos than the national average, underscoring the need for intensified efforts.
He stated, “In 2016, a baseline assessment conducted with support from the Lagos State Government showed a higher prevalence of HBV and HCV, 5 per cent and 1 per cent 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.”
Ogboye further stated that the state government initiated the Hepatitis Control Program in 2017, allocating a dedicated budget to combat the disease.
As part of this effort, the government has made Hepatitis C viral load testing available at discounted prices, resulting in 435 tests being conducted at two diagnostic facilities in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
Additionally, the state government has screened and vaccinated approximately 5,000 individuals, mainly healthcare workers, throughout the state.
“The state government has provided access to Hepatitis C Viral Load testing at subsidised 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. Recently, the state has also provided screening and vaccination for over 5,000 persons, mainly healthcare workers, complemented by extensive community outreach programs,” he noted.
Ogboye expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their support in the state government’s efforts to combat Hepatitis, promising continued collaboration in preventing and controlling the disease.
Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite, Director of Disease Control at the State Ministry of Health, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the severity of Hepatitis viral infection, which causes liver inflammation and damage, resulting in over 1.3 million deaths annually.
He emphasized that the 2024 World Hepatitis Day Celebration, with the theme “It’s time for Action,” seeks to raise public awareness about the disease’s devastating consequences and intensify global efforts to eradicate it.
“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.
Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, Coordinator of the Lagos State Viral Hepatitis Control Program, noted that in addition to observing World Hepatitis Day, the State Ministry of Health has been actively engaging in ongoing community awareness initiatives to educate the public about the disease.
“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 stated.
Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho emphasized that the government aims to significantly reduce mortality rates due to Hepatitis by 95% and 65% respectively by 2030, through intensified efforts.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rufina Igetei, a Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, delivered a symposium lecture, revealing that approximately 90-95% of Nigerians contract Hepatitis in childhood, either through maternal transmission or childhood exposure.
She advised residents to take preventive measures, including getting tested and vaccinated, practicing good personal and environmental hygiene, and avoiding the sharing of sharp objects, to protect themselves from this deadly disease.
