‘Hepatitis B prevalence quadruples HIV in Taraba’
07 August 2023 |
5:06 am
Prevalence of viral Hepatitis B has quadrupled that of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Taraba State, Women and Children Health Empowerment Foundation (WACHEF) has disclosed.
Prevalence of viral Hepatitis B has quadrupled that of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Taraba State, Women and Children Health Empowerment Foundation (WACHEF) has disclosed.
Raising the alarm at the weekend, when the Foundation visited the newly appointed Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bodia Gbansheya, in Jalingo, the group noted that Hepatitis B prevalence in the state “is four times higher than the prevalence of HIV, which is 2.9 per cent, even as Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV.”
Citing the prevalence rate of Hepatitis B and C in Nigeria, which, according to the group, stood at 11 per cent and 2.2 per cent, the staff lamented that “the prevalence rate of Hepatitis B and C among the general population stands at 12.8 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively in Taraba.”
Led by its Executive Director, Jaar Magaji, the foundation believes that with all hands on deck, the dream of eliminating the virus or reducing its prevalence rate could be achieved.
Advocating a dedicated yearly budget line for the fight against the virus, the state, they asserted, stands to benefit a lot, if the suggestion is taken into consideration.
WACHEF added: “Lack of funding to combat viral hepatitis has led to the widespread occurrence,” underscoring the need for more funding in the battle against viral hepatitis.
Vowing not to deviate from its vision of ensuring universal access to quality health and social services among the general population, especially women and children, the foundation urged the government to insert the right peg in the right hole.
Overwhelmed by the numerous achievements of WACHEF, which include ensuring the domestication of the Task Shifting and Task Sharing (TSTS) policy in the state, the commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment towards making the health sector his administration’s priority.
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