The Rotary Club of Abuja Gudu on Saturday screened and vaccinated no fewer than 500 members of Ruga Fulani Community towards ending the spread of Hepatitis virus.
The President, Chinelo Ofoegbunam, at the event in Abuja, said most of the kids were not immunised at birth, usually due to use of traditional birth attendants.
According to her, early detection of hepatitis is important, saying it was easily transmissible, calling for screening and vaccination.
“Most of them gave birth at home, through the use of traditional birth attendants and we are here today to test them first.
“We want to know whether they have any of the Hepatitis A, B or C first, then if positive, would be referred to a hospital, then followed up. But if negative, they will get the vaccines, depending on how the health official advises”.
He said the Club was also carrying out a blood drive interventions in partnership with the National Blood Service Commission (NBSC), for genotype testing, blood donation and general well-being.
She said all Nigerians had a huge role to play in promoting humanity, saying there was need for more hands to be on the deck to achieve this goal.
Ms. Rita Sule, Chairperson, Hepatitis and Polio Plus Committee for the Club, said the intervention was done because many people still lacked access to accurate information about their health.
According to her, it was important to spread the message of vaccines as a way towards preventing spread of hepatitis, saying tests carried out had shown cases in the community.
Sule called on Nigerians to partner with humanitarian organisations towards meeting the needs of the populace, saying the economy was not helping matter.
“A lot of people are dealing with a lot of things, things are hard, so most people forget to take their health seriously, so if we can put more efforts into humanitarian help, if would be great”.
Mrs Omotayo Ottun, Donor Recruiter, (NBSC), said the commission was working to ensure access to safe blood for all Nigerians, saying blood collected were screened and giving to those in need for free.
She said the huge riel blood played in the body cannot be overemphasised, as it was the lifeline for survival and cannot be substituted.
“As humans, there will always be a need for blood, and we cannot get it from animals, that’s why we always call for blood donation.
“Pregnant women, people and children with blood disorders and diseases need blood always, that is why we don’t sell it, we give back to those who need them for free.
“Irrespective of your blood group, within the ages of 18 and 65 years, you can donate, for a man, he can donate every three months, while a woman can donate every four months.”
Ottun said the benefits of blood donation cannot be quantified, as it was an avenue to replenish the body, and a way of contributing to humanity.
Dr David Nwedu, from the Hepatitis Zero Project, said hepatitis affected the liver and kills its victims of untreated, saying there was need for more awareness for mass mobilisation for vaccination.
He said early detection played a huge role in managing the virus, saying it is usually contracted through bodily contact with an infected person, saliva, sexual intercouse, among others.
“Avoid those living with hepatitis virus, avoid blood contact, if someone is sick or injured, protect yourself by wearing gloves and protective outfits.
“This virus survives more than seven days outside those carrying it, and it can be transmitted easily, so that is why we are calling for continuos screening.
“Anyone without it will be vaccinated three times for the next three months, and this covers 30 years, you must take the full dose of the vaccine to be covered”.
He said Hepatitis B was the most deadly and does not live the human body, saying one may just manage it with drugs all through his or her lifetime, and usually expensive.
News Agency of Nigeria
