As Nigerians join others to mark world Hepatitis Day, the Provost University of Uyo, UNIUYO College of Health Sciences, Prof Etete Peters has implored Nigerians oto go for screening to determine their hepatitis status and save themselves from liver complications.
Peters who made the call yesterday while exchanging views with newsmen in Uyo said Hepatitis remain a silent killer, killing faster than HIV/AIDS.
He said that the World Health Organisation has advised all countries to scale up access to Direct-Acting Antivirals, DAAs, a new drug for the treatment because of the dangerous nature of the disease.
“Over 380 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis infections (HBV or HCV) worldwide and 1.84 million people died of the virus globally.” He said.
He explained that there are five main types of Hepatitis virus referred to as Types A, B, C, D, and E but B and C are on the rise globally and are getting to a burden status requiring quick intervention.
Peters, former Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH) and the immediate past President of Nigeria Thoracic Society said the diseases are also becoming difficult to treat, hence the urgent need for people to know their hepatitis status.
“This has made it important to tackle Hepatitis with seriousness. But the good thing is that it can be treated and can be prevented.
“This has made it important to tackle Hepatitis with seriousness. But the good thing is that it can be treated and can be prevented.” He said.
World Hepatitis Day is marked every July 28 to educate people on Hepatitis and encourage them to go for screening so as to prevent the spread of the disease and get those positive to seek medication.
