From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
In a bid to tackle the rising case of hepatitis, a Non-Govermental Organization (NGO), Project PINK BLUE, has reached out to Kabusa community in Abuja on sensitization and vaccination campaign.
PINK BLUE’s Program Coordinator, Gloria Chinyere Okwu, who led the sensitization campaign at the Kabusa Chief Palace, said, “our goal is to empower the Kabusa community with the knowledge and tools needed to prevent hepatitis, foster early detection and encourage vaccination.
“Through these efforts, we can significantly reduce the impact of this dreadful disease in underserved communities. With the support of our partners, Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation, we are reaching the heart of the Kabusa community to make a difference.”
She noted that hepatitis is a significant risk factor for liver cancer, which is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in Nigeria, and according to the International Agency on Research on Cancer (IARC), in 2022, 4,382 Nigerians were diagnosed with liver cancer, and 4,252 people died of the disease; hence, only 130 Nigerians diagnosed with liver cancer survived.
“For this reason, liver cancer has been labeled a silent killer because it does not have symptoms in its early stages. People begin to see the symptoms of liver cancer at the late stages of the disease. Early detection and vaccination are proven strategies to prevent hepatitis infections and reduce the incidence of liver cancer,” she explained.
Runcie Chidebe, Executive Director, Project PINK BLUE, in his submission, noted that, by providing accessible screening and vaccination services, Project PINK BLUE’s #ChokeLiverCance project aims to save lives and improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
He said the key activities at the outreach include; free hepatitis B & C screening to identify individual at risk of liver cancer; vaccination against hepatitis B to prevent liver cancer; health education to poviding information on liver cancer prevention, symptoms, and treatment options.
Others are counseling and referrals to specialists for those requiring further medical care; distribution of educational materials to ensure that community members leave with resources to continue learning about liver health; research to use qualitative and quantitative research methods to study liver cancer and hepatitis awareness, screening, and vaccination as a pilot intervention for national policy advocacy.
He encouraged the people to periodically present themselves for medical examinations to avoid late presentation of the case when it might have deteriorated.
A community leader in Kabusa, Mr. Ezekiel Bitrus, thanked Project PINK BLUE and ACT Foundation for bringing the Choke Liver Cancer programme to the community. “We are happy to be remembered for such a programme.
“I am aware that hepatis is a deadly disease, and I am excited that my community will learn how to prevent it and get vaccinated against it at no cost. We do not take your generosity for granted”.
