Reps urges FG to mandate hepatitis testing and vaccination for children under 5
The House of Representatives has called on the federal government, through the Ministry of Health, to institute mandatory hepatitis testing, vaccination, and treatment for children under the age of five.
Lawmakers emphasized that this measure is vital for controlling and preventing the spread of the hepatitis virus.
This resolution was passed on Tuesday during a plenary session, following a motion presented by Kwamoti Laori, a representative from Adamawa state and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by infectious viruses or noninfectious agents, which can lead to significant health complications.
There are five primary types of hepatitis viruses—A, B, C, D, and E. These strains vary in their methods of transmission, severity, and prevention strategies.
In presenting the motion, Laori noted that viral hepatitis is highly contagious, spreading from mother to child during childbirth, through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids such as saliva, vaginal secretions, and semen, as well as through unsafe sexual practices, contaminated needles, and sharp instruments. Additionally, the virus can be transmitted among children aged zero to five through contact with infected individuals.
Citing WHO statistics, the lawmaker highlighted that approximately 354 million people globally live with hepatitis B or C. Nigeria alone accounts for over 20 million cases of hepatitis B, C, or both. Alarmingly, more than 80% of those affected in Nigeria are unaware of their status.
Despite a $3 billion immunization initiative spanning 2018 to 2028, Laori lamented that most infected individuals have not benefited from available vaccines or effective treatments. He pointed out that this has resulted in a rising number of infections, particularly from mother-to-child transmission and among young children, exacerbating the spread of the virus and increasing mortality rates across the country.
The resolution was unanimously adopted following a voice vote presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
In response, the House directed the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, along with other relevant agencies, to intensify public awareness efforts on hepatitis testing, vaccination, treatment, and prevention.
Additionally, the House mandated its Committee on Healthcare Services to investigate the concerning prevalence of viral hepatitis in the country.