Nasarawa decries rising cases of hepatitis, vaccinates 1,000 civil servants

Nasarawa State is intensifying its fight against viral hepatitis with a free screening and vaccination campaign targeting 1,000 civil servants. The initiative, part of this year's World Hepatitis Day observance, aims to improve early detection and prevention of Hepatitis B and C.

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Our prevalence rate is higher than the national average. In Nasarawa State, we are still battling with Hepatitis B viral infection that the prevalence is about 17 percent, while the national average is 8.1 percent. So, you see the difference is like times two. So, it is a serious issue for us.

Health Commissioner Dr. Gaza Gwamna highlighted the alarming prevalence rates in the state, noting that Hepatitis B affects about 17 percent of the population, more than double the national average of 8.1 percent. Similarly, Hepatitis C prevalence stands at 13.1 percent in Nasarawa, compared to a national average of just over 1 percent.

"Our prevalence rate is higher than the national average. In Nasarawa State, we are still battling with Hepatitis B viral infection that the prevalence is about 17 percent, while the national average is 8.1 percent. So, you see the difference is like times two," Gwamna stated. He described the situation as a "serious issue" for the state, prompting deliberate actions for prevention and cure.

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We take it as our own personal problem in the state. So, most of our actions towards prevention and cure are deliberate because we know this is the problem we have.

The state government is also collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost of hepatitis medications. Treatment for Hepatitis C has already been reduced by approximately 50 percent through government intervention. Targeted programs are in place to improve access to treatment for vulnerable groups, including free Hepatitis C treatment for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and ensuring pregnant women testing positive for Hepatitis B receive treatment to reduce mother-to-child transmission.

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In Nasarawa State, the prevalence is 13.1 percent while the national is barely like 1 point something. So, we see that our own prevalence is higher than the national average, and that is why we have been deliberate in putting some of the things that we have been able to do to see how to prevent Hepatitis B and C in the state.