Mr Chidi Obiudu, President, Rotary Club of Awka SmithTown , District 9142 of Rotary International has called on the Public to go for Hepatitis test to get treated if infected.
He made the call while addressing some journalists shortly after a senisitation walk held by the club in conjunction with other rotary clubs and rotaractors in Awka on Tuesday.
He said that 2020 hepatitis day theme is to find the“ Missing Millions”.
Obiudu said that WHO had declared 28 July of every year as world hepatitis day in 2011 to celebrate the birthday of a noble scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg.
He said that Blumberg discovered hepatitis B virus and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus, and numerated other virus of the hepatitis as A,B, C, D and E .
Obiudu said that hepatitis disease is not a killer diseases if detected on time as any one found with the disease on time would be cured of the killer disease.
Obiudu said that Rotary International celebrates Hepatitis day every July 28 in support of WHO efforts and its cardinal vision to stop the spread of any killer disease and give health to humanity .
Speaking also the Mr Izunna Okwelogu, president of Rotary of Awka GRA said that hepatitis ranges from A to E and described the hepatitis as a deadly virus if left unchecked .
Okwelogu said that though many factors could lead to any of the hepatitis types but majorly contaminated food and water is how hepatitis A type could be contracted.
He further said that hepatitis B , C and D could be contracted through contact with infected blood, sexual intercourse and injections.
Mr Tochi Omalu a past president of the club said that hepatitis E could be contracted through contaminated water.
Omalu advised the public to take their health seriously by visiting medical experts on routine levels to test check their health status because early detection of illness gives room for adequate medical attention.
Mrs Uzoamka Okonkwo, the Hepatitis Ambassador said that the virus could be checked in hepatitis A once symptoms like fatigue, loss of appetite and dark urine is seen by taking a good bedrest.
“ Hepatitis A dos not usually require treatment because it is a short term illness so bed rest would take care of it.
“ Acute Hepatitis B has no specific treatment but chronic hepatitis B requires antiviral medication, in hepatitis C, both acute and chronic types requires anti viral medication.
“ For all the hepatitis types all we need do to check the spread is to go for a test, we get treatment and cure if infected , our lives must be taken seriously by us,” she said
Mr Chibuikem Mbachi , a rotaractor who participated in the walk said that he was delighted to be part of the event as he had learnt more about the hepatitis types and importance of routine medical check.
Mbachi who is also a Rotaractor president of UNEC said that Rotary International was a noble organsation who prides in serving humanity above self.
Mrs Chioma Beluchukwu one of the passer by who listened to the talk on the need for regular test check commended rotary international family for the sensistation.
Beluchukwu said that she would adhere to the advise and visit her medical centre for a test.
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