The Guild of Medical Directors (GMD), a body of medical doctors who own and run private hospitals and clinics has advised Nigerians to go for regular screening and vaccination in order to protect themselves from hepatitis.The medical directors said that protection from viral hepatitis was very important and a task that must be done. “Get tested and know if you have been exposed to the virus before or not. Those who have not been exposed to the virus should then be offered vaccination against the infection,” they said in the statement.
They called for vaccination of babies against the disease, and enlightenment of teenagers and young people with strong campaigns that educate them about the prevalence of viral hepatitis in the country.
The group also advised older people to know their status, adding that those who were positive, were monitored and given support to protect them from suffering from liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. They said treatment was still possible although the chances of eradicating the virus was slim with length of time following the exposure.
The statement said the guild has thrown its weight behind efforts aimed at eradicating viral hepatitis and has chosen ‘Let us make Nigeria Hepatitis free’ as the theme for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and scientific conference coming up on Saturday 27th May 2017.
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