By Sola Ogundipe

SUMMIT: From left, Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano and Wife of Deputy Governor, Abia State, Lady Vivian Udeoko Chukwu, at the Mothers’ Summit held last week at Women Development Centre, Awka.

IN commemoration of this year’s World Hepatitis Day today, a day set aside by the World Health Organisation to  direct attention to the burden of chronic viral hepatitis worldwide, the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria, SOGHIN, has  urged all Nigerians to get screened for the disorder.

In a statement, Publicity Secretary, SOGHIN, Dr. Uchenna Ijemo said every Nigeria should pay attention to efforts to control the disease. “We are advocating a two-point key strategy – to promote prevention and show support for hepatitis-positive persons.  “SOGHIN urges Nigerians to pay attention to key preventive messages including knowing the risks including unsafe blood, unsafe injections, sharing of sharps including drug injection equipment can all result in hepatitis.”

Further, Ijemo said all Nigerians should demand safe injections. “About two million people contact hepatitis from unsafe injections. Using sterile single use disposable syringes can prevent these infections.  “Approximately 8 billion injections are given unnecessarily globally and unnecessary injections increase the risks.” Ijemo stated that all children and adults should be vaccinated.

“ A safe and effective vaccine can be given and this protects from hepatitis B for life.” Calling upon the populace to get tested, and seek treatment, he said effective treatment options exist for hepatitis  B and cure for hepatitis C. “It is important to talk to your doctor about testing you for hepatitis virus infection, irrespective of your health status and  about receiving a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B  if you test negative for the virus.

“All pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis with a view to protecting the yet-unborn baby,” he advised. To prevent hepatitis infecting, he said paying attention to specific lifestyle habits wwould be helpful. These include avoiding the sharing of  personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes.

“Do not share needles or other drug equipment (such as straws for snorting drugs); clean blood spills with dilute household bleach and avoid getting tattoos, body piercings and circumcision with poorly sterilized instruments. “Avoid unsafe and unnecessary injections and transfusion of unscreened blood and other blood products. Also avoid casual and unprotected sexual intercourse

Ijemo said SOGHIN wants Nigerians to be aware that viral hepatitis is eminently preventable and by embracing the preventive strategies outlined. “We can control this disease in our country and reduce its burden on our society. This way also we can prevent the personal misery and suffering that chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer bestow on affected individuals,” he noted.