President, World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), Danjuma Adda, has re-echoed the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Nigeria and on the continent in general. He also said that the dreams of achieving the Global Health Sector Strategy (GHSS), would remain a mirage, unless something was done urgently.

Raising the alarm at the event organised by the Centre of Initiative and Development (CFID), to mark the World Hepatitis Day (WHD), at the weekend, in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, Adda expressed sadness that ‘’hepatitis is not being given the much-desired attention, compared to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The GHSS, which demands accelerate action towards the elimination of hepatitis by 2030, called for 90 per cent reduction in new cases of chronic viral Hepatitis B and C by 2030. It also sought a 65 per cent reduction in viral Hepatitis B and C deaths by 2030.

He said: ‘’It is sad that mechanisms are not being put in place by African leaders, Nigeria in particular, to meet up with the GHSS demands.’’

He viewed hepatitis as an “orphan, who is often overlooked by donors,” and Implementing Partners (IPs).

Describing hepatitis as “a disease that has very little support,” he emphasised the need for donors to start directing their funds towards the fight against the disease.

‘’For the African continent, especially Nigeria to get 90 per cent people tested and to ensure that 80 per cent of people who have been diagnosed of Hepatitis B and C are treated, all hands, irrespective of organisations and status, must be on deck.

Piqued that 44 per cent of the global burden of hepatitis is on the continent of Africa,  he lamented that Hepatitis C, among children under five, has continued to be on the increase, asking: “Why should the innocent child get infected when there are preventable measures?”

Adda, who advised the women to stop delivering outside medical facilities, urged spouses to ensure that their pregnant wives are screened for hepatitis during Antenatal Care (ANC).

Adda, who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of  CFID, could not fathom why Nigeria still had the highest number of hepatitis patients on the continent.

Earlier, the state government, through the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Bodia Gbansheya, reiterated the state government’s commitment to extend the much desired olive branch to any group or organisation that was willing to assist the state in eradicating hepatitis.