Health experts have called for frequent hepatitis tests to prevent Hepatitis related cancer. This comes as the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, RSUTH, embarked on free Hepatitis screening to mark this year’s Hepatitis day in Port Harcourt, with the theme: Let’s Break It Down.
The Chief Medical Director, RSUTH, Professor Chizindu Alikor, while describing Hepatitis as an inflammation of the liver that can cause acute and chronic diseases, commonly transmitted through contact with blood and other body fluids, explained the purpose of the program.
“Through screening, we can be able to identify those who are positive and proffer possible intervention, all aimed at preventing liver cancer from various Hepatitis, Hepatitis B is transmissible through blood contact, mother to child transfusion, even sexually, hence this advocacy is to see that we reduce as much as possible,” Prof Alikor said.
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A Gastro-Nephrologist and Herpetologist with the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Sara Agbere, who pointed out the different types of Hepatitis, which include Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, explained their mode of infection.
She, however, advocated the addition of adult hepatitis vaccination in the National immunization scheme.
The medical practitioners further advised a healthy lifestyle by getting vaccinated against hepatitis B and avoiding drinking of alcohol.
