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Reps to probe spread of hepatitis in Nigeria

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The House of Representatives has resolved to probe the spread of hepatitis in the country.

The Green Chamber also called for wider public awareness to check the spread of the virus.

This followed the adoption of a motion presented by a lawmaker from Adamawa State, Kwamoti Laori, at Tuesday’s plenary in Abuja.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents.

Laori said hepatitis could lead to a range of health problems, some of which could be fatal, with five main strains known as types A, B, C, D, and E.

The lawmaker quoted the World Health Organisation’s 2024 Global Hepatitis Report as stating that the number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis was on the increase.

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This, according to him, had made hepatitis the second leading cause of death globally.

He said: “WHO said this had led to an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually or 3,500 per day, similar to tuberculosis, a top infectious killer, with an estimated 345 million people living with the infection worldwide.

“The reports stated that the larger percent of the global scorecard of infection is found in Africa, where it is estimated that about five to 10 per cent of the population suffered from chronic infection with hepatitis B virus.”

The House in its resolution also mandated the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and other relevant agencies to create awareness to promote testing, vaccination and treatment as well as prevent the spread of the disease in the country.

The lawmakers also mandated its Committees on Healthcare Services, Information and National Orientation, and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

The House directed the committee to report back within three weeks for further legislative action.

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