Background
The Viral Hepatitis epidemic has taken a heavy toll on lives, communities and health systems, being responsible for an estimated 1.4 million deaths annually from acute infection, liver cancer and cirrhosis.
47% of these deaths have been due to infection with Hepatitis B virus, and 48% to infection with Hepatitis C virus. According to recent World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, globally, there are about 240 million people infected with chronic hepatitis B virus, and about 130-150 million with a chronic case of hepatitis C infection.
The seroprevalence in Nasarawa State is 13.2% for HCV and 11.1% for HBV, and among the highest in the country.
Nasarawa State Government is not waiting for change; but is fighting to make it happen. In 2023, Nasarawa State adopted the “Hepatitis free village reach” approach to eliminate viral hepatitis in Shabu village with a target of 3000 persons to reach.
Over 2539 residents were screened, with 1169 testing positive to Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and 457 to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), accounting for seropositivity rates of 46% and 18% among the target population respectively.
Due to the high prevalence of the virus seen, it was decided that this approach be replicated to 9 different communities across 5 selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) with a target to achieve 6000 screenings per community.
Every year, July 28 is marked as the World Hepatitis Day. It is a day to raise awareness on viral hepatitis with the aim to unite the global community to demand action from decision makers globally to prioritize the ‘Elimination of Viral Hepatitis by 2030’.
Rationale
In order to achieve viral hepatitis elimination by 2030, there is a need to reduce new infections of Hepatitis B and C by 40% and reduce death from liver cancer by 50% by 2025.
In addition, the WHO’s new ambitious interim target by 2025, (60% of people living with Hepatitis B and/or C should be diagnosed with the virus and 50% of them eligible for treatment should be cured or receive therapy) needs to be reached.
The use of the “Hepatitis free village reach” approach to reach set targets to eliminate viral hepatitis in select LGAs, the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health on the World Hepatitis Day had a community outreach in Gandu village. This would urgently simplify hepatitis care and make it more accessible to people in need.
Activities
The 2024 World Hepatitis Day theme was ‘Its time for Action’. In line with this, the State Ministry of Health with WHO, APHPN Nasarawa State Branch, Non-Governmental Organizations (Clinton Health Access Initiative – CHAI, Breakthrough Action Nigeria -BAN, JHPIEGO, Beacon Youth Initiative, Family Health Care Initiative (FAHCI), the Community Service Association and Medical Laboratory Students of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia) embarked on a series of events outlined below:
- Awareness and sensitization through talk show with a local TV station and a radio station
- Press Conference
- Road walk (from the FULafia University take-off campus gate to Gandu village)
- In target (Gandu) community, the following activities took place
- Community health talk and sensitization on possible risk factors for Viral Hepatitis and prevention
- Pre-test counselling
- Community screening for Hepatitis B and C
- Post-test counselling
- Linkage of positive patients to healthcare facility
- Vaccination of HBV negative patients.
At Gandu village, activities commenced with an opening ceremony. The Director of Public Health Nasarawa State Ministry of Health gave the opening remarks after the National anthem. He reiterated the importance of preventing and controlling viral hepatitis to meet the 2030 stated targets.
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lafia delivered a speech after which the event was declared open by the Hon. Commissioner of Health who was represented by the Permanent Secretary.
Outcome
The Gandu community outreach reached a total of 298 persons screened for viral hepatitis and C with 33 positives for HBV and 6 Positive for HCV. About 100 HBV negative patients were vaccinated.
