Speaking at a
one day sensitatisation workshop organised NIMASA, to mark the world hepatitis
day, Medical Manager of GlaxoSmithKline
on Vaccines, Dr. Temitayo Olowookere, disclosed
that over 1.5 million Nigerians are ignorantly suffering from Hepatitis B virus.
He noted that
between 10 to 13 percent of Nigerians population is suffering from Hepatitis A
and B.
He said that
Hepatitis which is an inflammation of liver can be contacted through infections
such as unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner, blood
transfusion, mother to child transmission, sharing of contaminated sharp
objects, which should be avoided.
In his words, “Ten
to thirteen percent of the Nigerian population is suffering from Hepatitis A
and B, especially Hepatitis B which is the commonest virus that is easily
preventable by vaccines”
Olowookere’s
paper titled “Eliminate Hepatitis:
Find the missing millions” for Maritime stakeholders on the dangers
and preventions of hepatitis, disclosed that millions of Nigerians are
ignorantly suffering from Hepatitis that is seriously spreading more than
HIV/AIDS, which if not treated during its acute stage, will become chronic,
cause cancer of the liver, and can eventually lead to death.
He noted that
the only way to prevent it is to start taking the vaccines and other medical
information serious.
Earlier in his
remarks, Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dakuku Petersider, stressed the need
for the enlightenment campaign aimed at educating seafarers, maritime agencies
and the general public on the danger of the virus.
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