At least 900,000 people in Taraba State, North-East Nigeria are said to be positive for viral Hepatitis, based on the prevalence rate of 17% for Hepatitis B and 9% for Hepatitis C.
The Federal Government has partnered with the State on a free screening and vaccination, as part of efforts to put the spread of the disease under control.
Taraba State has a population of over 3 million people out of which 900,000 are projected to be positive for Hepatitis B or C, based on studies.
A partnership between the State and Federal Governments has been set up to address the disturbing prevalence of 17% for Hepatitis B and 9% for Hepatitis C as many people do not know their status, hence the need to bridge the gap.
The collaboration birthed this free screening and vaccination exercise, as part of efforts to encourage early detection, which gives people who are positive, higher chances of survival, and prevents possible transmission to others.
Those found positive will also be provided with free drugs, to discourage the culture of resorting to unorthodox ways of treating viral Hepatitis, which causes more damage to the human organs.
Experts including Adeyeye Ajayi of Yakubu Gowon Centre say that in every 100 people tested for viral Hepatitis in Taraba State, at least 15–20 are found to be positive.
The exposure in children has a higher rate of progressing to infection than in adults, as children have a 90% possibility of contracting viral Hepatitis.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
