LASG TRAINS HEALTH WORKERS ON ADVANCED HEPATITIS CARE STRATEGIES

… Begins Four-Day Residential Training on Viral Hepatitis Management for Medical Officers
… Experts Highlight Urgent Need for Early Detection of Viral Hepatitis in Lagos State

The Lagos State Government has commenced a four-day residential training programme aimed at enhancing the capacity of medical officers in secondary health facilities for improved management of viral hepatitis cases. The training, organised by the Ministry of Health with support from the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOMLPforR), kicked off on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Orchid Hotel, Lekki.

The Director of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, in her welcome address, emphasised the significance of the training in tackling viral hepatitis, a highly infectious disease of public health importance. “This training will equip medical officers with adequate knowledge and skills to manage patients with viral hepatitis in general hospitals across Lagos State”, she stated. 

She added that the programme aims to ensure access to care in all health facilities, a step toward achieving the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. “This residential training programme, scheduled to end on Thursday, November 28, 2024, aligns with the state’s efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and achieve sustainable health outcomes. It will also pave the way for subsequent training sessions involving laboratory scientists and other healthcare personnel”, she said.

Dr. Egunjobi reiterated the government’s resolve to ensure that every Lagosian has access to quality healthcare services. “We are a responsible government, and this training is a testament to our commitment to improving healthcare delivery”, she said. 

She noted that the Lagos State Hepatitis control programme would also involve community awareness initiatives, screenings, and vaccinations to enhance prevention and management efforts. “Prevention is always better,” she said, urging healthcare workers to cascade the knowledge gained during the training to their colleagues and communities.

In her opening remarks, the Coordinator of SOMLPforR, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, stressed the urgency of addressing the knowledge gap among healthcare workers regarding viral hepatitis. She revealed that the disease remains a silent killer and called for increased awareness and proactive measures. 

“Many healthcare workers, including doctors, lack sufficient knowledge about viral hepatitis, and this training is a step toward bridging that gap”, she said. She also shared a personal story of losing her sister-in-law to the disease, underlining the importance of early detection and management. 

Highlighting the state government’s commitment, Dr. Erinosho commended Lagos State for being the first in Nigeria to initiate screening and vaccination for healthcare workers against viral hepatitis. “This milestone sensitised healthcare workers on the importance of knowing their status and getting vaccinated”, she remarked. 

Dr. Erinosho noted that the training is part of Lagos State’s broader strategy to build a well-equipped healthcare workforce capable of managing viral hepatitis at all levels of care. She urged participants to be advocates of change, disseminating key information to communities to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with the disease.

The training also features seasoned facilitators, including Prof. Casimir Omuemu, a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), and Dr. Rufina Igetei, a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). The facilitators will provide participants with hands-on and updated information on managing viral hepatitis, including adherence to national guidelines.

Participants at the training, drawn from Lagos State General Hospitals, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to enhance their expertise. They acknowledged that the training will help improve service delivery and reduce morbidity and mortality rates associated with the disease.