PROSPER OWUSU, Vice President for World Clock International, a Sunyani-based Non- governmental organization in the Brong-Ahafo region has advised chiefs, religious authorities to have their members screened periodically of Hepatitis B at nearby hospitals and health centres.
He disclosed this in a press statement in Sunyani stating that such screening, could help in the early detection of the virus and the treatment of the disease and also avoid the financial high cost entailed.
Mr Owusu noted that studies conducted in Ghana indicate that Hepatitis B is endemic in the country, with the prevalent rate ranging from 6.7 to 10 percent in blood donors; 6.4% in pregnant women and 15.6% in children which is very alarming.
He said children can get infected from their mothers during childbirth. Other risk factors of Hepatitis B infection include transfusions, dialysis, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing and sharing razors or toothbrushes with infected persons.
It is, sometimes, characterized by sudden onset of general ill-health, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, body aches, mild fever and dark urine, which then progresses to the development of jaundice.
He said the death toll of the disease in the Sunyani Municipality continued to increase, stressing that 211 people died in 2012, 145 in 2011, 135 in 2010 and 207 in 2009. And that more than 10,000 residents comprising school children, market women and farmers in the Sunyani West District, Sunyani Municipality and the Brong-Ahafo region at large would benefit from their memorandum of understanding which has been signed between the organization and a vaccination team made up of health professionals in the Sunyani government hospital which is estimated to cost over GH�30,000.00.
Mr Owusu has, however, encouraged anyone diagnosed with the disease not to be scared because 95 per cent of such patients stand the chance of living longer, provided the patient concerned could comply or abide by prescribed medical instructions.
He cautioned Hepatitis B patients to refrain from alcoholic drinks, stressing that, failure to adhere to the medical advice could endanger the life span of the sufferer.
Nti Boateng Joe, the president of the association stated that, statistics have shown that two billion people around the world have been infected with the Hepatitis B virus and more than 240 million have chronic liver infections.
He noted that, in Ghana, it�s sad that spiritualists have traced the disease to either witchcraft or a curse with many victims rushing day-in and day-out to various prayer camps for spiritual healing. It is, however, imperative to increase public awareness about the disease in order to prevent its spread.
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