FULafia partners NSG to fight hepatitis

The Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health have vowed to work together to fight the dreaded disease of hepatitis.

Their collaboration was made known during an event that took place on a day set aside by the world to symbolise the global fight against hepatitis.

Chairman of the event, Vice-Chancellor, the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, said that the awareness campaign was organised to “educate the civil populace about viral hepatitis, how to prevent, test and treat the disease, reduce its stigma and discriminations associated with the ailment.”

The theme for year 2024 World Hepatitis Day was: “IT’S TIME FOR ACTION.”

The day, in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, was celebrated at Gandu, a neighbouring community of the University.

The programme was organised collaboratively by the FULafia Centre for Community Service, departments of medical laboratory science, social work and Nasarawa State Ministry of Health.

The vice-chancellor said that the organisers decided to take the awareness campaign to Gandu community in line with the University’s policy on service to the communities.

According to him, hepatitis “is a major public health threat, responsible for no fewer than 1.3 million deaths per annum,” lamenting that the “health indicators for the country according to National Bureau of statistics, 2024, are critically low and precarious, with life expectancy now at 56.05 years.”

He called on the government to improve funding for hepatitis research and improve access to its treatment and care, enhance awareness and advocacy aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination associated with the disease, and strengthen local and global partnership in terms of knowledge -sharing, research and best practices.”

The Commissioner, Nasarawa State Ministry of Health, Dr. Shekwonu Gaza Dogara, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Damina John Ali, thanked the Federal University of Lafia and other agencies for organising the awareness campaign.

Ali advised all to get tested for hepatitis and those found to be negative to get vaccinated, stressing that the organisers had already provided vaccinations as part of efforts to fight the disease.

Mr. Emmanuel Ukeye who representative World Health Organisation (WHO), commended FULafia and the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health for their efforts towards elimination of viral hepatitis.

He eulogised the experts and other stakeholders for their efforts, urging for more advocacy in that regard.

Professor Samson Dugga, the Chairman FULafia Centre for Community Service, praised the organisers for their efforts, saying the efforts would go a long way in educating people about the dangers of hepatitis.

He applauded those who participated in the road walk to commemorate the 2024 World Hepatitis Day.

The event also featured Hepatitis B and C testing, counselling session and vaccination.

Important dignitaries who graced the occasion included Dr Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, the Director, Public Health,

Dr Ruth Bello, Director- General, Nasarawa state AIDS control Agency (NASACA), and Dr Peter Attahiru, Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Nasarawa State Chapter, among others.