The House of Representatives has called on the federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Health, to make hepatitis testing, vaccination, and treatment mandatory for children under the age of five.
The lawmakers emphasised that this measure would be vital in curbing the spread of the virus and ensuring its containment.
This was passed on Tuesday following the motion introduced by Kwamoti Laori, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) representing Adamawa State.
In presenting the motion, Laori highlighted that viral hepatitis is highly contagious, particularly from mother to child during childbirth, through exposure to infected blood or bodily fluids, such as saliva, semen, and vaginal fluids during unprotected sexual intercourse, and from the use of contaminated needles or sharp instruments. Children between the ages of 0-5 years are particularly vulnerable to transmission.
According to a WHO report, an estimated 354 million individuals globally are living with hepatitis B or C. In Nigeria, over 20 million people are affected by these two types of hepatitis, yet more than 80% of them remain unaware of their condition.
Laori further pointed out that despite the allocation of $3 billion for immunisation efforts between 2018 and 2028, many patients have not received the vaccine or effective treatment. As a result, cases of mother-to-child transmission, as well as the spread of the virus among uninfected children, have surged, contributing to the growing prevalence of hepatitis and its associated mortality risk across the nation.
The motion was approved following a voice vote led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who was presiding over the plenary session.
In response, the House has directed the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, alongside relevant agencies, to raise awareness about hepatitis testing, vaccination, treatment, and prevention strategies.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) characterises hepatitis as inflammation of the liver caused by infectious viruses or non-infectious agents, which can lead to various health complications, and there are five main types of hepatitis viruses, including A, B, C, D, and E, with varying transmission methods, severity, and preventive measures.
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