Gom Mirian
The Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, has raised concerns about the health status of over 16 million individuals in Nigeria who are unknowingly at risk of severe liver complications because they are unaware of their Hepatitis B and C status.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, on Friday.
The director said the staggering number underscores the urgent need for increased efforts to tackle this silent epidemic that continues to jeopardise the health and well-being of the Nigerian population.
Dr Ogboye emphasised the importance of raising awareness and promoting early detection to combat the spread of these diseases. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to get tested for Hepatitis B and C to determine their status, as early diagnosis allows for better management and treatment options.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Mrs. Kemi Ogunyemi, emphasised the importance of preventive measures and data accuracy in curbing the silent threat of viral hepatitis.
She explained tthat the disease remains a silent adversary which can be mitigated by the provision of preventive strategies, as well as the efficient collection and rendition of data which will guide the development of efficient plans, interventions and resource allocation to fight the disease.
“The foundation of well-informed decision-making is data; data forms the bedrock of informed decision-making, guiding efficient plans, interventions, and resource allocation crucial in addressing complex issues like viral hepatitis,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Director, Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite, noted that the government recognises the impact viral hepatitis has on the health and well-being of the people, adding that the agenda of the government will encompass a comprehensive exploration of the state’s epidemiological landscape, solutions to data renditions as well as challenges in diagnosis and treatment.
Similarly, the Lagos State Viral Hepatitis Control Programme Coordinator, Dr Mazeedat Erinosho, assured that the present administration will not relent in using various strategies to fight against viral hepatitis, adding that the state will always be open to productive collaborations with the private sector in the fight against the disease.
