Dr. Tomi Coker, Ogun Commissioner for Health on Tuesday said that over 567,000 people were suffering from the deadly hepatitis B in the state.
Coker, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesanya Ayinde, disclosed this at a press conference in Abeokuta to commemorate 2020 World Hepatitis Day.
The commissioner noted that the figure was equivalent of 8.1 per cent of the state’s total population of N7million
She explained that hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that caused a range of health problems, including liver cancer was the second killer infectious diseases after Tuberculosis.
Coker hinted that Nigerian remained one of the countries with the highest burden of the virus with the prevalent of about 29 million patients.
She stated that the disease had received no attention in the past, saying that the increase in the number of hepatitis patients was alarming.
“As part of our prevention method, Hepatitis B virus infection causing chronic liver diseases has received little or no attention in the past, thus constituting a major public health hazard,”she said.
Coker disclosed that the state government had embarked on the testing of pregnant women in the three Senatorial Districts, saying that adequate care was being taken to ensure those positive of the virus does not further transmit the virus.
“It is a routine thing that pregnant patients are tested in the state and adequate care is taken to ensure that those who are positive do not transmit the virus to those who are not. Also, hepatitis immunisation is now a routine thing in the state. P
Coker noted that complete immunisation of new borns and infants with all necessary antigens including Hepatitis B vaccine was critical in ensuring a hepatitis-free Ogun state.
“All pregnant mothers must be offered Hepatitis B screening and other necessary test as a comprehensive package of care during antenatal care,” she said.
