A Gastroenterologist, Dr. Cara Cookey, has lamented that people managing hepatitis are being denied attention as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
Cookey, said this in an interview with our correspondent on the sidelines of the World Hepatitis Day commemoration organised by Olpharm Nigeria Limited at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.“People managing hepatitis, just like other patients, were not allowed to access treatment in hospitals during COVID-19 lockdown period. We relied heavily on teleconferences to reach as many patients as possible.
“Some patients spend as much as N500,000 on treatment. The government can help patients to subsidise treatment. “I must admit that management of hepatitis B is quite challenging because it involves many things such as patient follow-up, laboratory analysis, ultrasound and other out of pocket expenses. Unfortunately too, it is not covered by health insurance,” she said.
The managing director of Olpharm Nigeria Limited, Mr Johnson Olusetire, said hepatitis B is a life-threatening infection that can lead to chronic health challenges like cirrhosis or liver cancer. He said the disease could be transmitted through contact with blood, sharing of needles and syringes, sex and mother to baby at birth.All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
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