Kebbi: 4.6% of blood donated to hospitals has Hepatitis B – NMA

The Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Kebbi, Dr Umar Kangiwa, on Wednesday said 4.6 per cent of blood donated to hospitals have tested positive to Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Its symptoms include jaundice.

Kangiwa made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday.

He said the data was obtained between April 2012 and April 2013 and called for its curtailment.

He advised the public to avoid using unsterilised medical instruments, adding, “the association will not relent in its effort to enlighten people on the need to take preventive measures to reduce the rate of infection.’’

He said Hepatitis B was among the seven killer diseases, although it was curable when discovered in the early stage.

The chairman said the NMA was providing free medical services in general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and ear, nose and throat treatment, among others.

“The NMA has so far treated 3,257 out of the targeted 5,600 patients in different ailments.’’

He said the association had also screened 1,116 patients against bilharzias, adding that out of the number, 60 per cent were discovered positive and seven patients had cancer of the bladder.

He said the team had treated the patients while those with cancer of the bladder were referred to teaching hospitals.

Kangiwa also said that the association had trained 350 traditional birth attendants on methodology of handling child birth to ensure safe delivery.

“We have trained medical laboratory scientists to ensure genuineness of medical investigations in rural hospitals.

He commended the State Government for sustaining the free drugs programme for pregnant women and children under the age of five, adding that it had reduced child and maternal mortality (NAN)