An expert in Medicine and Gastroenterology, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo has called for urgent action to address what he termed the “escalating threat posed by Hepatitis B (HBV) and liver cancer.”
Otegbayo, a staff of the Liver Unit, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, made the call in an interview on Friday in Abuja.
He highlighted findings from a study conducted among unremunerated blood donors at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
He said the study revealed indiscriminate injections as prevalent risk factors for HBV transmission.
He added that HBV transmission from mother to child at birth and through means, including sexual contact and unscreened blood transfusions, also present significant risks.
He explained that “vaccination remains a pivotal tool in mitigating the disease burden.
“However, in spite of availability of HBV vaccines and integration into national immunisation programmes, only 41 per cent of newborns in Nigeria receive the vaccine.
“Moreover, vaccination rates among healthcare workers, who face heightened HBV infection risks, remain suboptimal.”
Commending initiatives such as the University of Ibadan Students Union Government’s efforts to screen and immunise students against HBV, he stressed the need for more comprehensive strategies to tackle the root causes of HBV transmission and liver cancer.
Citing studies from countries like Gambia and Taiwan, which demonstrated the efficacy of HBV immunisation in reducing infection rates and liver cancer incidence, he advocated for a multifaceted approach in the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) Cancer Plan for Africa.
He said, “these strategies include preventing viral hepatitis through vaccination and awareness campaigns, promoting liver health through screening and early detection of HBV, and dispelling myths and misconceptions about cancer to enhance awareness and uptake of preventive measures.”
Otegbayo emphasised concerted efforts “to avert further loss of lives to this preventable disease.”
NAN
