The Nasarawa State Government, in partnership with the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, has launched a medical outreach aimed at combating viral hepatitis and other common diseases across the state.
The initiative, known as the Viral Hepatitis Free Village Campaign, aims to put Nasarawa State on track to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.
Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, the acting governor of Nasarawa, announced the program’s commencement in Doma Local Government Area (LGA) due to its high prevalence of viral hepatitis.
“The prevalence of hepatitis in Doma LGA is high, which is why we decided to flag off this program here today,” Akabe stated. He encouraged residents to take advantage of the free testing and treatment services and to avoid risky behaviors such as using unsterilized sharp objects and sharing needles.
The program targets testing 6,000 individuals in each LGA, with medical teams fully equipped for the task. Dr. Yahaya Adamu, represented by Dr. Ahmed Kana, reaffirmed the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi’s commitment to enhancing the health of Nasarawa’s residents.
The initiative has received commendations from various quarters, including Dr. Gaza Gwamna, the State Commissioner for Health, and HRH Aliyu Ogah, the Andoma of Doma. The Nasarawa State Government also presented a Volkswagen Sharon Bus to the medical team to facilitate their outreach efforts.
This campaign builds on previous efforts, including the allocation of N100 million by the state government in March 2023 to combat hepatitis, emphasizing the state’s proactive approach to public health.
