7.5 per cent test positive for Hepatitis B in Niger

Niger State government has raised concern over the high burden of viral hepatitis in the state, showing that 7.5 per cent of more than 20,000 people screened for Hepatitis B between July, last year and June, this year tested positive.

The government is also worried that the majority of the people do not know their state of hepatitis, a situation which places them at risk.

The government said the figures underscore the urgent need for aggressive public awareness to curb the spread of the disease, adding that it is collaborating with the Federal Government and development partners to provide free HIV and viral hepatitis testing services for expectant women as part of efforts to eliminate HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B and C.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Bagana, stated this at a press conference in Minna as part of activities marking the World Hepatitis Day.

Bagana, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Abdullahi Usman Imam, described hepatitis as a preventable and treatable disease but lamented that many people remained unaware of the infection.

“Too many people are still unaware of hepatitis, and this ignorance fuels its spread. Awareness is everyone’s responsibility; we must spread the message, not the virus,” he said.

According to him, 18,600 people were also tested for Hepatitis C during the period, with 5.4 per cent returning positive results.

He added that among expectant women screened, 3.2 per cent tested positive for Hepatitis B, while 2.3 per cent tested positive for Hepatitis C, “These figures show the burden is high and urgent action is needed,” he added.