The Effutu Municipality, in the Central Region, has recently reported concerning statistics regarding the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
According to Alexander Afenyo Markin, the Member of Parliament representing the region, a total of 2,106 individuals underwent screening for the virus, with 405 of them testing positive.
This group comprised 68 pregnant women, 148 children, and 189 young adults.
Afenyo Markin shared this information during a town hall meeting, emphasizing the importance of constituents participating in screening and vaccination efforts.
“We are facing a critical health issue within our community, as a healthy populace is the foundation of a healthy nation. Out of the 2,106 individuals screened, a troubling 405 tested positive for the Hepatitis B virus. Among them are 68 pregnant women, 148 children, and 189 young adults.
“Hepatitis B can silently damage our livers and may not exhibit symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. Many within our community are succumbing to this disease slowly. However, as your Member of Parliament, I cannot stand idly by while my constituency is affected. To combat this, I have allocated one million cedis to support the screening and vaccination efforts within our constituency. I encourage everyone to actively participate in this campaign.”
It’s crucial to understand that HBV is a grave illness that can lead to liver cancer and even fatalities. Timely screening and vaccination are indispensable for preventing the virus’s spread and its associated complications.