The federal govt and stakeholders in the health sector have been urged to use the occasion of this year’s world hepatitis day to implement the world health organisation, WHO global health sector strategy which is aimed at reducing new viral hepatitis infection by 90 percent and deaths by 65 percent by 2030.
Some health experts made the call while speaking to ait.live in port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
They said there should be more awareness and funding in other to reduce the number of new viral hepatitis infections in the country .
The health experts who major in gastroenterology and haematology Hepatitis said inflammation of the liver, can progress to fibrosis or liver cancer if not diagnosed early.
They described Hepatitis B and C as the most common cause of deaths, with over1.4 million lives lost to the silent killer every year.
The health experts urged Nigerians to take advantage of government subsidized fee and get tested for the virus.
The theme for this year’s world hepatitis day is “Hepatitis-free future,” with a strong focus on preventing Hepatitis B among mothers and newborns.
(Editor:Abaje Usekwe)