MMAWT LEGACY INITIATIVE MARKS WORLD HEPATITIS DAY WITH A LECTURE, FREE TESTING AND COUNSELING IN SOKOTO.
MMAWT Legacy Initiative today hosted the general public to a lecture, free testing and counseling to mark the World Hepatitis day 2019,themed : INVEST IN ELIMINATING HEPATITIS.
World Hepatitis Day, 28 July, is an opportunity to step up national and international efforts on hepatitis, encourage actions and engagement by individuals, partners and the public and highlight the need for a greater global response as outlined in the WHO’s Global hepatitis report of 2017.
The date of 28 July was chosen because it is the birthday of Nobel-prize winning scientist Dr Baruch Blumberg, who discovered hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developed a diagnostic test and vaccine for the virus.
It is in view of the aforementioned that MMAWT Legacy Initiative organized a public lecture, free testing and counseling to mark the day in Sokoto.
In his lecture, Dr Sabitu Muhammad Zainu, a clinical Microbiology Consultant at the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, spoke on the types of Hepatitis, its signs and symptoms and the need for everyone to test for the disease as it a disease that is curable if diagnosed early.
He also advised the gathering to take advantage of the availability of its vaccines free of charge at all government owned hospitals in Sokoto State. There was a robust question and answers session where the participants were given the opportunity to ask questions regarding the disease.
In her Goodwill message delivered by her representative, Professor Aishatu Madawaki, who is also the state commissioner for Social Welfare, Hajiya Maryam Mairo Aminu Waziri Tambuwal called on all the participants to be Ambassadors for the prevention of the disease and help enlightenment the public on the need for hepatitis testing as its early detection helps in regard to cure or management.
Professor Aishatu Madawaki also informed the gathering of the recent investiture of Hajiya Maryam Tambuwal as the Hepatitis Zero Ambassador, by the Hepatitis Zero World Eradication project. An honor she described as “well deserved” considering the effort being made by the wife of the governor in supporting the drive towards a Hepatitis free society. The commissioner later flagged off the free testing and counseling exercise.
The event was attended by members of civil society groups, youth and women groups, medical practitioners, traditional title holders and religious leaders among others. 
