The Global Forum for the Defence of the Less Privileged (GFDLP) has recently conducted a campaign against Hepatitis B in some 6 orphanages in Buea. A total of 131 children were screened against Hepatitis B virus and 24 were tested positive.
These children were drawn from 6 major orphanages in Buea namely HOTPEC (Mile 14,), Grace of God (Bunduma), Root for kids (Bokova), Bright Land (Wotutu,), God First (Wotutut), and Great Faith (Wotutu). The children range from the ages of 3 to 21 years old. Out of this number, some are at the primary, secondary, and university levels.
At a visit to the HOTPEC orphanage, it was discovered that the children face challenges in education, learning materials and other basic requirements like food and clothing.
In a health talk with Mr. Ashu Breyere Besong, a microbiologist, he warned the children about the causes and the effects of the Hepatitis B virus. He told them that the disease can be contracted by sharing sharp objects, close contact with blood, or mother to child during birth. This disease can manifest itself through fever, yellowish eyes, tiredness as well as liver cancer. The GFDLP is counting on partners and well-wishers to help support the treatment of these 24 children who were tested positive.
Ills Of Hepatitis
Hepatitis was not known to many people in the past and to date, so many people are yet unaware of what it is about, its causes, and effects on the body and society.
The word hepatitis comes from the ancient Greek word ‘hepar’ meaning ‘liver’ and the Latin word ‘itis’ meaning inflammation. This virus can be either acute or chronic. There exist five main types of hepatitis that are caused by a virus categorized in A, B, C, D, and E and these types are of great concern because of their afflictions of illnesses and deaths. Most especially, types B and C lead to chronic diseases in hundreds of millions of people and is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer. One of the causes of Hepatitis is by eating and drinking water that is infected with hepatitis A virus (HAV).
One can also contact this virus through Anal-oral contact during sexual intercourse. Nearly everyone who develops Hepatitis A makes a full recovery because it is not a chronic point of hepatitis.
