Call for Increased Immunization and Access to Affordable Treatment in Africa
Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has disclosed that a staggering 91 million people in Africa are living with chronic hepatitis. Among them, 82 million have chronic hepatitis B (CHB), while nine million are affected by chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection.
Professor Pate made this revelation during the African Hepatitis Summit held in Abuja, which had the theme 'Putting Africa on track towards viral hepatitis elimination.'
Speaking at the summit, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Kachollom Daju, Professor Pate expressed concern that only a small percentage of those diagnosed with CHB and CHC received treatment in 2020. Specifically, 0.1% of those diagnosed with CHB and 0% of those with CHC received treatment during that year.
The minister pointed out that despite a significant risk of children acquiring CHB through mother-to-child transmission (90%), only 14 out of 47 African countries have introduced routine HepB-BD vaccination. Furthermore, only 17% of newborns in Africa have received timely HepB-BD vaccination, even though it is recognized as a cost-effective measure to prevent new infections.
He emphasized the need for African nations to intensify efforts to increase immunization coverage, especially given the availability of affordable Direct Acting Anti-viral (DAAs) drugs for curing HCV and Tenofovir for treating HBV. However, the high cost of treatment, often paid out-of-pocket, remains a barrier to access. Professor Pate urged African nations to collaborate and advocate for local production of these essential medications and explore the optimization of health insurance.
He stated that Nigeria is unwavering in its commitment to control hepatitis toward elimination. This commitment is evident through ongoing efforts to strengthen the primary healthcare system, raise public awareness, include hepatitis in the minimum package for national health insurance, build the capacity of healthcare providers, and integrate hepatitis management into HIV programs.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria Representative, highlighted the importance of including viral hepatitis testing and treatment interventions as an essential part of health services delivered to individuals of all ages.
Homie Razavi from the Center for Disease Analysis Foundation in the United States emphasized that eliminating viral hepatitis in Africa is both feasible and highly cost-effective. He suggested a hybrid strategy where countries cover some costs while patients contribute to others, offering the highest likelihood of success.
Representing the awardees at the summit, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the Governor of Nasarawa State, attributed their positive impact in the health sector to determination, commitment, leadership, and efforts to eliminate hepatitis and other diseases.
Comments