World Hepatitis Day:Yobe Distributes 43,900 Test Kits across 325 Health Facilities

  

By Yusuf A. Yusuf, Damaturu  

The Yobe State Government, through the State Ministry of Health, has distributed 43,900 testing kits for viral hepatitis across 325 service delivery points in healthcare facilities and 17 community intervention sites in the state.  

The State Viral Hepatitis Focal Person,Bala Sulaiman,disclosed this on Monday during the World Hepatitis Day celebration organized by the Yobe State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Roadmap for Women and Youth Development (RAWYOD).

Held at the NANNM Secretariat in Damaturu,the Yobe State capital,the event carried the theme:"Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down."  

Bala stated that the ministry has also trained healthcare providers to enhance their capacity in viral hepatitis management, counseling,and testing for safe practices, as well as comprehensive blood screening and transfusion protocols. 

Other initiatives include advocacy, sensitization,and awareness campaigns on preventing harmful practices that expose individuals to viral hepatitis infection.  

"I would like to express my gratitude to our esteemed partners,particularly the Roadmap for Women and Youth Development (RAWYOD),without whose efforts this program would not have been possible. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our guests,the speaker of the day, and participants for their contributions to this important event,"Bala added.  

In his remarks, the Yobe State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Muhammad Lawan Gana,explained that the day serves to strengthen local, national,and global efforts toward preventing and controlling hepatitis virus infections.  

Represented by the Director of Public Health,Dr. Hauwa Larai Goni,Gana revealed that under Governor Mai Mala Buni's leadership, Yobe is committed to strengthening the health system by improving healthcare infrastructure, renovating health facilities,and other initiatives.  

He further stated that the state would continue community engagement strategies by working closely with religious and traditional leaders,as well as other stakeholders,to promote awareness and prevention of viral hepatitis.  

Earlier in his brief remarks,theProgram Coordinator of Roadmap for Women and Youth Development (RAWYOD),Steven Ibrahim,affirmed their commitment to "breaking the silence" on hepatitis. 

According to him, RAWYOD will continue raising awareness about hepatitis,which claims many lives globally, with the goal of eliminating it by 2030.

The World Hepatitis Day commemoration in Damaturu featured expert lectures on viral hepatitis and a question-and-answer session.