Some of the speakers and students of UNIBEN during World Hepatitis Day celebrationUNIVERSITY
of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), consultant Gastroenterologist, Dr.
Casimire Omuemu, has called on government to declare a state of
emergency on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).
He made the call in a lecture delivered during the 2015 World Hepatitis Day celebration help at the school.
Dr. Omuemu disclosed that Nigerians’ inability to regularly go for
medical checkup to ascertain their health status has enormously
contributed to the spread of the disease.
Observing that HBV, which is a viral disease is 40 times more
infections than HIV, destroys the liver cells and is among leading
causes of death across the globe.
He stated that unscreened blood transfusion is one of the ways of
getting the virus. Lamenting the high prevalence of the disease, the
consultant noted that late manifestation HBV makes it hard to control.
In his recommendations, he called on the government to help subsidise
HBV vaccine and engage in more public awareness to sensitise the
people.
He further encouraged Nigerians to vaccinate themselves against the
virus and ensure that before accepting blood, it is properly screened
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