Ebonyi gov’s wife flags off hepatitis, tuberculosis screening campaign

Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs Mary-Maudaline Nwifuru has flagged off the tuberculosis and hepatitis screening campaign to reduce death among residents of the state.

According to her, the campaign is very necessary because lack of awareness have continued to pose threats to the residents of the state.

Mrs Nwifuru stated this during the grand finale of the 2024 August meeting held at Izzi Local Government Area headquarters, Iboko.

Mrs Nwifuru however, enjoined residents of the state to converge en-masse for the hepatitis and tuberculosis screening aimed at eliminating and controlling the spread of the scourge in the state and country at large.

The governor’s wife also noted that her foundation, ‘Better Health for Rural Women children and Internally Displaced Foundation’ partnered with the state government are conducting the exercise for residents across the 13 local government areas of the state.

She then charged wives of local government chairmen to sensitise and monitor the exercise In their council areas.

“Hepatitis B is a disease that affects the liver, can lead to serious health complications if not detected and treated early, and Tuberculosis, an infectious disease that primarily affects the lungs, remains a significant public health concern.

“Both diseases are preventable and treatable, yet they continue to pose a threat due to a lack of awareness and access to medical services.

“So this screening and awareness campaign will not only provide our people with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and their loved ones but also ensure that those affected receive the care and support they deserve,” she said

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, in his remark lamented the rising scourge of hepatitis and tuberculosis among many Nigerians, underscored the importance of the free screening programme in the state.

He also disclosed that the global fund partner, donated 26 motorcycles to 13 Tuberculosis (TB) coordinators and 13 deputy coordinators to enable them distribute TB drugs, sensitise and need to report possible symptoms.

The medical expert described Gov. Nwifuru as a health-friendly governor noting that his Wife, Mary-Maudline, was appointed as “Stop TB Champion” of Ebonyi.

He called on the media to assist in the dissemination of information on the screening exercise against TB to the public.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Primary Health, Mr Sabinus Nwibo, revealed that Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C are endemic in the state.

Nwibo added that these particular health conditions were constantly present within Ikwo and Izzi communities in the state.

He explained that the health conditions are an infectious diseases, causing health burden due to complications associated with infection, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

He said hepatitis B and C are dangerous types of virus diseases, among others.

He said that the health conditions, transformed to hepatocellular carcinoma, causes rivercirosis and other damage.

He said “Governor Francis Nwifuru has approved and funded instruments needed for the sensitisation campaign and screening exercises of the health condition to the 13 LGAs of the state.

“Today, we flag off the exercise and it will continue simultaneously in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

“Those who tested positive, during the exercise will be taken care of and the negative will be given hepatitis B vaccine for prevention,” Nwibo said.

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