By Our Correspondent
The Nasarawa State Government has announced plans to fight the high prevalence rate of viral hepatitis in the State.
Hon Commissioner of Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, made the disclosure at a news conference as part of activities to commemorate the 2024 World Hepatitis Day on Tuesday in Lafia.
He explained that the prevalence rates of the viral hepatitis in Nasarawa State is above the national prevalence rate and of serious concern to the state government.
According to the commissioner, the prevalence rate for Hepatitis B is about 17% , while that of Hepatitis C is 13.2 % more than the national prevalence rates of 8.1 per cent for Hepatitis B and 1.1% for Hepatitis C respectively.
He said that in response to this public health challenge, the state government in collaboration with parents in had made significant progress in combating the spread of the disease.
The commissioner explained that already the state had screened more than 220, 000 people and provided treatment 3000 across the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.
He added that 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 2030.
“We have established a state viral hepatitis desk to localise the national guidelines and ensure swift access to services.
“Decentralised the care for viral hepatitis from solely the Dalhati Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia to Secondary and Primary Healthcare Centres via a public health approach.
“We have activated a provider-initiated testing approach to increase access to screening services and integrated Hepatitis C diagnosis into the Genexpart platform for convenient testing.
“We also negotiated for substantial reductions in drugs for the treatment of the disease from vendors thereby making them more accessible and affordable. Gwamna added.
He further said that the government is conducting a risk assessment study to understand the key drivers of high viral hepatitis burden with a view of taken measures to tackle same.
Gwamna added that the government had deployed a team to carry out free hepatitis outreach in the 13 LGAs and the team is currently covering Doma, Karu, Wamba and Obi LGAs where the prevalence is high.
The commissioner also appreciated the support from JHPIEGO and other partners and pledged to work with all groups interested in improving the health conditions of the people of the state.