Adequate Vaccination Crucial for Hepatitis-Free Future

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Medical experts, including Dr Adelana Odumabo, a gynaecologist, Dr Motolani Oyerinde, medical officer, Livewell Initiative (LWI), and Pharm. Bisi Bright, founder, Women in Hepatitis Africa (WIHA), among others have urged governments and individuals to take action and raise awareness towards a hepatitis-free future.

Speaking on the theme of 2020 World Hepatitis Day, tagged ‘Find the Missing Millions’, at a webinar held recently as part of activities to mark the occasion by LWI, Pharm.Bright noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO), had set a goal for the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 which means that “the number of newly infected persons and related mortality should be decreased by 90 per cent and 65 per cent respectively”. 

In a presentation titled :“Nursing Care in Preventive Mother to Child Transmission”, Dr Omotolani Oyerinde highlighted some areas in which hepatitis prevention should be focused, which include testing, immunisation against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), preventing mother to child transmission, blood safety and assurance of proper treatment for those that test positive.

The webinar held in partnership with Olpharm Nigeria Limited, observed that early detection and childhood vaccination will curb the burden of the disease by 2030.

  Oyerinde said  children should be immunised against the disease while adults who test negative of the disease should get vaccinated against it.

Recall that the World Hepatitis Day is commemorated each year on 28 July to enhance awareness on viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including liver cancer.