The Nasarawa State Government has launched a free hepatitis screening and vaccination programme targeting about 1,000 civil servants in the state.
The exercise, which commenced in Lafia on Wednesday, is part of activities to mark the 2026 World Hepatitis Day and is designed to promote early detection, prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, expressed concern over the prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Nasarawa, saying the rates in the state were higher than the national figures.
Gwamna said Hepatitis B had a prevalence rate of about 17 per cent in the state, compared with the national average of 8.1 per cent.
He said, “Our prevalence rate is higher than the national average. In Nasarawa State, we are still battling with Hepatitis B viral infection that the prevalence is about 17 per cent, while the national average is 8.1 per cent.
“So, you see the difference is like times two. It is a serious issue for us, and we take it as our own personal problem in the state.”
The commissioner added that Hepatitis C was also a major concern, with the state recording a prevalence rate of 13.1 per cent compared with the national figure of slightly above one per cent.
He explained that the government had introduced deliberate measures to prevent and manage the disease, including efforts to make treatment more affordable.
According to him, the state is working with pharmaceutical companies to lower the cost of hepatitis medicines for infected civil servants and other vulnerable residents.
Gwamna disclosed that the cost of treating Hepatitis C had already been reduced by about half of the prevailing market price through government intervention.
He further said the state had adopted targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, including people living with HIV/AIDS and pregnant women who test positive for Hepatitis B.
“We have been able to do a lot in the programme we call micro-elimination. For those that are living with HIV/AIDS, their treatment for Hepatitis C is free,” he said.
“We have also been able to see how to place pregnant women that come and get tested positive for Hepatitis B on treatment as well. That is to see how to reduce the transmission rate from the mother to child.”
The free screening and vaccination exercise is expected to continue until Friday at the premises of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health.
Also speaking, the Programme Coordinator for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Disease Control, Dr Joshua Moses, said this year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” was aimed at encouraging greater public awareness and action against the disease.
Moses urged residents to know their hepatitis status by undergoing regular screening, taking recommended vaccines and seeking medical care promptly when necessary.
He said civil servants were selected as the primary beneficiaries because they constitute a significant part of the state’s workforce.
“The exercise is aimed at promoting early detection and prevention of viral hepatitis. The reason we are targeting civil servants is because they form a majority of the workforce, and we also want them to have a qualitative life and then productive years in service,” Moses said.
He commended the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health and development partners, including Family Health International and Beacon Youth Initiative, for supporting the screening, consultation and vaccination programme.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, exposure to toxins or autoimmune conditions.
