By; NIYI OGUNGBOLA, Abeokuta
The South West Coordinator for Hepatitis Zero Eradication Project, Princess Florence Egbeyemi has disclosed that, between 11 and 14 per cent of the world’s population lives with hepatitis, noting that about 27 million people in Nigeria have been infected while about five million people die annually of the disease.
Mrs Egbeyemi made this disclosure in Abeokuta at the decoration of the wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun as its Global Hepatitis Zero Ambassador, in recognition of her commitment to the wellbeing of mankind in all facets
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The South West Coordinator also disclosed that campaign against the disease would be flagged off in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of the State on Sunday, 28th July, 2019.
According to her,other LGAs of the State would also be covered in the coming weeks, saying people who tested negative to the virus could obtain immunity that lasts for up to 30 years.
Speaking earlier, the Commission’s President, Dr. Mike Omotosho, said the Commission was moved by Mrs. Abiodun’s track record for her passion towards people’s welfare in the society, adding that, they were optimistic that she would champion the course of eradicating hepatitis in the State and the world at large.
He noted that the Commission’s sole responsibility was to ensure total obliteration of hepatitis among mankind through advocacy, screening, prophylaxis and treatment, saying the Wife of the Governor, as an Ambassador, was expected to be the face of the Commission at advocacies for the eradication of the disease.
In her remarks,Mrs. Abiodun expressed concern on the high prevalence of hepatitis around the world and the high percentage of deaths recorded in the country, pledging her unalloyed support at creating the needed awareness, as well as support in screening and treating people living with the disease.
She appreciated the Commission for recognising her roles and enlisting her as a partner in progress, promising her full commitment to the course and the coming World Hepatitis Eradication Day.
In the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Health, Dr. Adesanya Ayinde at the induction said, Government will channel resources towards eradication of the viral Hepatitis disease to ensure adequate wellbeing of residents in the State.
Ayinde described Hepatitis as a menace that the general public needed to be aware of while appreciating the Commission for honouring the Wife of the State Governor and choosing the State to flag off its campaign against the disease, assured that his Ministry would do everything necessary to support Mrs. Bamidele in her new responsibility.
