World Hepatitis Day: NGO conducts free test in Nasarawa community
Screening
Olukayode Babalola
Lafia, Aug. 6, 2021. (NAN) Beacon Youth Initiative (BYI), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) on Friday conducted free Hepatitis test for no fewer than 600 persons in Kwandere Community in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.
Mr Envoh Okolo, Executive Director of the organisation said the mass testing was to commemorate the 2021 World Hepatitis Day usually marked on July 28 of every year.
He said that the day was marked annually in commemoration of those that have died as a result of viral hepatitis and those living with the infection.
Okolo said that event is also aimed at creating global awareness on the dangers of hepatitis.
It is worth noting that ALPA’s main aim is to raise the awareness of prevention of Liver disease in Africa to highlight the size of the problem, and to promote the interests of African people with liver disease
“Yearly, one million people die of the virus infection and it is something that as part of our efforts, we are scaling up screening services to see that members of the community, especially rural dwellers, get access to screening services and treatment.
“So far, we have screened over 600 persons for Hepatitis B and C.