World Hepatitis Day: Minister of Health Harps on Early Detection

The Hon. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole has harped on the need for early detection of hepatitis, stating that at least 60 per cent of liver cancer cases are due to late testing and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C.
He also said that early detection would prevent the development of major life- threatening complication of chronic liver disease of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The Minister made this known at a press briefing to commemorate the 2018 World Hepatitis Day with theme ‘’Test, Treat, Cure Hepatitis’’, in Abuja.
Prof. Adewole noted that the First Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis for 2016-2021, which was approved during the Sixty- Ninth World Health Assembly in 2016.
He added that there was need for all stakeholders to take proactive steps of knowing their status by getting tested and finally seek for treatment to reduce needless deaths from this preventable and treatable infection.
He informed that the viral hepatitis was the seventh leading cause of death globally, adding that the disease was a silent killer and responsible for about 1.44 million deaths every year.
He pointed out that with appropriate treatment of hepatitis B and C, the emergence of new antiviral drugs over 95% of the people with hepatitis can completely be cured of the virus within 3-6 months.
He also commended the Nigeria Ambassador for Hepatitis Control, Gowon General. Yakubu, (rtd), the Ooni of Ife, WHO, Roche Pharmaceuticals Ltd ,Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and other partners for supporting the fight against the scourge of viral hepatitis in Nigeria.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Nigeria Ambassador for Hepatitis Control, General Yakubu Gowon, (rtd), said the Yakubu Gowon Foundation would continue to provide support for the cause of viral hepatitis in Nigeria, adding that there was need for Government and other Developmental Partners to create more awareness for the fight against Hepatitis.
Gen. Gowon (rtd) also noted that there is urgent need for upward review of the budgetary allocation of the ministry of health in order to ensure effective combat of life threatening diseases.