Nigeria Knowledge Of Viral Hepatitis Remains Limited- Don

By Adamu Aminu

Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest burden of viral hepatitis with a working prevalence of 11 percent.

Professor Abraham Orkuga Malu of Jos University teaching hospital made the pronouncements on Saturday, in Kano at a lecture presentation in a colloquium in honour of Professor Musa Mohammed Borodo, President, National postgraduate medical college of Nigeria.

In a lecture titled: Burden of viral hepatitis and challenges of treatment in Nigeria, Professor Malu, of Medicine department, Unijos, said in Nigeria knowledge of viral hepatitis remains limited among the general public, at-risk population, policymakers and even health care providers, adding that hepatitis is the leading cause of death which claims many lives of Nigerians annually.

” Many thought that hepatitis ailment is an outright death sentence, which is entirely not, and it’s treatment is not costly as previously assumed by many people” Malu testified.

He further added that the challenges attached with the treatment of ailment is that most of the carriers doesn’t know they have it, while the majority of people with hepatitis thought the treatment is costly, that’s why they resorted to take other means of treatment.

“The cost of hepatitis B treatment is not up to N3,000 and slightly above, while hepatitis C treatment is considerably costly which ranges from 100,000 Naira and above,” he said.

In his remark, the representative of Kano state Governor, Environment commissioner, Dr Kabir Getso described the celebrant, being his former Lecturer, for teaching them not only in the field of the medical profession but also taught them the ethics of life.

” The state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is profoundly wishing the celebrant good life and longer prosperity to carry on with giving his utmost best towards building the nation in his medical profession”

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On his part, Professor Abdurrahman Abdu Sheshe, Chief medical director, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) Kano, said the reasons for honouring the celebrant, Professor, Musa Muhammad Borodo is for his outstanding achievement in the medical field not only in Kano but globally.

” He is the first northerner to serve as President of National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, who also have mastery of hepatitis ailment, Prof. Sheshe added.

Speaking at the event, the celebrant Professor Borodo said he is delighted to witness the event organized in his honour.

Adding that he would not relent in serving humanity in spite of the daunting challenges encountered in the course of discharging his duty under the facade of his chosen medical profession.

Among the dignitaries graced the colloquium include: government functionaries, academia, students as well as schoolmates of the celebrants from Government secondary school Keffi.