By Gabriel Olawale

THE Association of  Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Surulere chapter, has decried the low knowledge of viral hepatitis among Nigerians despite the fact that the disease is a leading cause of death.

• From left: President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, AMLSN, Surulere chapter, Mr. Otu Patrick; Lagos State Secretary of AMLSN, Olumide Fadipe; Lagos State Branch Chairman of AMLSN, Monsuru Adegoke and Laboratory Director, Union Diagnostics and Clinical Services Plc, Yaba, during a health talk and free hepatitis B and C screening held at Itire Ikate LCDA in Lagos.

Speaking during a health talk and free hepatitis B and C screening exercise held at Itire Ikate LCDA in Lagos, the association’s chairman, Mr. Otu Patrick regretted that while mortality from tuberculosis and HIV is on the decline, deaths from viral hepatitis is increasing  as reported by the World Health Organisation.

Patrick said that an estimated 22 million Nigerians are  infected with Hepatitis B and four million with Hepatitis C, but most of them are unaware of their status.

“The cases of viral hepatitis are more common amongst people aged 21-40 years. In our clime, the risk factors include local circumcision, exchange of sharp objects, scarifications on the body. Other predisposing factors include surgical procedures, deliveries that occur at home and blood transfusion to mention a few.”

Corroborating his views, the Lagos State Secretary of AMLSN, Olumide Fadipe stated:  “Viruses usually need a living cell to help them reproduce and without a living host, they will die off, but hepatitis B is so stubborn to the extent that it can stay up to six months outside the living host and ready to attack, and the liver happens to be victim.

“If you are a patient or relative of a patient that needs blood transfusion, it is your right to ask whether the blood has being screened or not.

In Lagos State, before  blood is transfused, it must have logo of Lagos State Government approved screening centre. If you want to take injection, it is your right to ascertain that a new syringe is opened in your presence.”

In his remark, Secretary, Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors, Lagos State Branch, Akujuobi Igwe said the danger in neglecting Hepatitis B was the risk of liver damage or cancer of the liver.

He said that Hepatitis B is highly preventable through vaccination, screening, early detection and treatment.

“Hepatitis B is one of the vaccines given to children and adults are encouraged to determine their status and if negative, they are encouraged to get vaccinated.

“When you are vaccinated, you are protected from the virus. Even for those who are positive, there are steps to take to protect the liver, one of them is to consult specialists.

Activities such as excessive consumption of alcohol or taking herbs indiscriminately could worsen the health of a patient withHepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is an infection of your liver. It can cause scarring of the organ, liver failure and cancer. It can be fatal if it isn’t treated. It spreads when people come in contact with the blood, open sores, or body fluids of someone who has the virus.