Professor Adewole: Nigeria’s minister of health

The Federal Government on Saturday assured Nigerians of its commitment to take proactive steps towards controlling the spread of  Hepatitis in the country.

The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, stated this during the 24th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Guild of Medical Directors (GMD)  in Abuja.

The News Agency pf Nigeria(NAN)reports that the minister was represented at the occasion by the Director,  Hospital Services, Dr Joseph Amedu.

The theme of 2017 conference is  ‘ Let Make Nigeria Hepatitis Free’.

According to the minister, “Hepatitis is important as it affects the liver, without presentation with any weighty symptoms until it has caused  severe damage and chronic liver disease, liver cancer and untimely death.”

He said the conference was appropriate, as it would create the necessary awareness on the menace of viral Hepatitis.

“This will in no small measure reduce the dangers associated with lack of knowledge of the disease and prevent it from reaching epidemic levels like meningitis and the Ebola virus.’’

Adewole said as operators of private hospitals in the country, the guild was an indispensable partner in contributing 60 to 70 percent stake in achieving the healthcare delivery in the country.

“I, therefore, urge you all to reciprocate government’s gesture of Public Private Partnership with dedication and commitment to your duty of care and shun situation that will make you abandon your responsibilities.

“Let us work together in peace and harmony to give the health sector the change the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration intends for the health sector’’

In a keynote address, Dr Chukwuma Anyaike, a Consultant Public Health Physician, called for increased awareness of hepatitis and provision of safe and effective vaccines in the country.

“The key intervention to make the country free from hepatitis is to prevent mother to child transmission of the disease.

“Others are safe injection practices and safe blood as well as safer sex which include the use of condoms to prevent the disease,’’ he said.

Anyaike called for a partnership with government,  Civil Society Organisations and the private sector to reduce the menace of the disease.

He said that such partnership must be tailored to concrete action and the national plan.

In his remarks, the President of the Guild, Dr Tony Philips, said Nigerians should ensure they know their status and also go for routine medical checks.

(NAN)