The African Union, Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (AU-STRC), African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (AU-ASRIC) have partnered with the African Liver Patient Association (ALPA) to offer free hepatitis treatment to Nasarawa State indigenes.
The Senior Scientific Officer of AU-STRC, Dr Mohammed Kyari, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Model Comprehensive Health Centre, Shabu, Lafia.
Kyari said that the project targeted 3000 persons to benefit from the free hepatitis care, tests and treatment in Lafia, Nasarawa state.
He said the project followed a sensitization and education of communities at all levels, including testing, which was targeted at the age group 12-80 years old.
Kyari added that the project was a build-up from the research conducted by the AU- STRC and ASRIC from 2018 to date with a priority area on “prevention and control of diseases”.
“ The hepatitis testing uses the serological rapid diagnostic tests with results in 15 minutes, and treatment will commence immediately for positive cases,” he said.
According to him, vaccination will be administered to those who are negative; then further testing will be administered on those tested positive through a viral load confirmation.
Kyari also said that the treatment would focus more on eliminating mother-to-child transmission and the timely administration of birth dose vaccines for newborns and raising awareness.
He added that the project was a pilot phase on implementing the ASRIC Flagship Project on a Village free of Hepatitis in Nasarawa State, which will be held from the 6th -20th December 2023.
“ The project is also in line with the implementation of the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2024) pillar on building technical and professional competencies,” Kyari said.
Nigerian Newssphere monitored events at the Model Comprehensive Health Centre, Shabu, which is the location of the hepatitis-free village in Lafia, Nasarawa State, and the theme is “ Hepatitis Free Village”.
Recall that seven Egyptian doctors are on site attending to the residents of the Shabu community. About 2500 people have since received free treatment through free drugs and vaccinations.
Among the medical personnel from the Egyptian Liver Research Institute and Hospital (ELRIAH) working on hepatitis eradication in Lafia are Dr. Ahmed Salem, Dr. Ayman Abdelfattah and Prof. Ahmed Farahat