Nasarawa intensifies vaccination amid rising hepatitis cases

The Nasarawa State government has expressed concern over the rising cases of viral Hepatitis B in the state and urged residents to ensure they get tested and vaccinated.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, stated this at a press conference to commemorate the 2024 World Hepatitis Day in Lafia, on Tuesday.

He said the prevalent rate of viral hepatitis in the state was above the national rate, hence it had become a serious concern to the state government.

He said the prevalent rate for Hepatitis B was about 17 per cent in the state, while that of Hepatitis C was 13.2 per cent, more than the national prevalent rate of 8.1 per cent for Hepatitis B and 1.1 for Hepatitis C.

The commissioner said already, the state government had screened more than 220,000 people and provided treatment for 3,000 residents across the 13 local government areas of the 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 further stated that the ministry had negotiated for a substantial reduction in the cost of drugs for the treatment of the disease in the state, to make them more accessible and affordable.

Gwamna also said the government had deployed a medical team to carry out free hepatitis outreach across the 13 LGAs of the state, adding that the team was covering Doma, Karu, Wamba and Obi LGAs where the prevalent rate was high and worrisome.