Rotary District 9125, comprising seven clubs in Plateau, has commenced free hepatitis screening of persons at Dadin Kowa Primary Health Centre, Jos South Local Government Area.
The one-week screening is part of the global efforts toward eradicating hepatitis.
Dr Elvis Chukwu, the past governor of the District, while inaugurating the exercise, said it was part of its ‘Hepatitis Zero World Eradication Project ‘ to diagnose and ensure prompt treatment of the disease.
He said the exercise was timely as there was a dire need for preventive measures against hepatitis which kills faster than the Human Immuno deficiency Virus (HIV).
“We implore residents of this community to mobilise their family members and neighbours to come for this free test to prevent health complications in the future,’’ he said.
Speaking earlier, Dr Godwin Osaigbovo, the coordinator of the outreach, said findings showed that about 400 million people globally have hepatitis B and C and only five per cent of such cases were diagnosed.
According to him, people can be infected by the disease through unhygienic ways such as intake of poorly treated water, unwashed fruits and vegetables and using sharp objects of infected persons.
“We have hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted mostly by the things we consume, while B, C and D are transmitted through using sharp objects such as needles and blades of an infected person and unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person,’’ he said.
He said A and E kill faster because they are acute, adding that early diagnosis could prevent such adverse effects.
Osaigbovo further explained that they could also be caused by alcohol, drugs and allergic reactions among others.
In his remarks, Dr Martins Azu’ut, the Permanent Secretary, Plateau State Ministry of Health commended the club for its advocacy and enlightenment campaigns to eradicate hepatitis.
Represented by Dr Audu Samuel, the Director of Medical Services at the Ministry, Azu’ut urged infected persons to seek further medical advice as referred by Rotary, adding that health determines the level of productiveness in the society.
