EDITORIAL: Eradicating Hepatitis in Nigeria
On Thursday, July 28, the international community will commemorate the World Hepatitis Day. The event inaugurated by the World Health Organisation (WHO)is to raise global awareness on the disease or group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A,B,C,D and E and to encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Hepatitis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and killing close to 1.4 million victims every year.
Hepatitis is a medical condition defined as an inflammation of the liver characterised by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ.
This year, has been set aside by WHO member states to adopt the first ever elimination strategy for viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This will be the first time national governments sign up and commit to the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis. The theme for this year’s global campaign is ‘ELIMINATION’. Of course, the five hepatitis viruses – A, B, C, D and E – are distinct; they can have different modes of transmission, affect different populations, and result in different health outcomes. While hepatitis B and hepatitis C cause the greatest global burden of disease, hepatitis A, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E are also global health concerns.
For example, Hepatitis A is primarily spread when someone who has never been infected with hepatitis A and is not vaccinated, ingests food or water that is contaminated with the faeces of an infected person or has direct contact with someone who is infected. However, it does not cause chronic liver disease and is rarely fatal, but it can cause serious symptoms. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person, including at birth from a mother to her baby and through sexual contact.
The hepatitis B virus can cause both acute and chronic infection, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, chronic illness. People who are chronically infected can develop liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood of an infected person. It is common in many countries in the world; including those in Africa. Invariably, most infections are caused by unsafe medical injections and other medical procedures.
In addition, Hepatitis D is passed through contact with infected blood. It only occurs in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus. People not infected with hepatitis B can prevent hepatitis D by being vaccinated against hepatitis B. Hepatitis E is contracted mainly through contaminated drinking water. However, it usually clears in 4-6 weeks so there is no specific treatment. However, pregnant women infected with hepatitis E are at considerable risk of mortality from this infection.
According to the Society for Gastroenterology and Hepatology in Nigeria (SOGHIN),there are about 20 million Nigerians infected by Hepatitis B. This means that at least one of every 10 Nigerian is a chronic carrier of hepatitis B and not only at risk of liver diseases and death, but also at risk of transmitting it to others.
It is therefore imperative that the authorities sensitise Nigerians on the need for personal hygiene and the use of only sterile equipment for injections and other medical procedures. They should also insist that all donated blood and blood components be tested for hepatitis B and C,even as they call on the citizens to promote safer sex practices.
