Hepatitis affects more than 325m persons worldwide

Many formidable armies have been brought to their knees by diseases such as plagues, small pox and malaria, this is according to the Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Napoleon Bali.

Bali disclosed this when he represented the Chief of the Air Staff at an awareness programme on Hepatitis for troops and civilians.

Defence Correspondent Sifon Essien reports that hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, that’s according to the World Health Organisation. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver cancer.

In spite of the achievement in preventive medicine and disease control, infectious agents remain a substantial threat to human life.

Reports have shown that Hepatitis B and C affect more than 325 million people worldwide, causing 1.4 million deaths a year.

Realising the consequences of the disease condition on troops, the Nigerian Air Force authorities put together this awareness program on the disease.

The Air Force authorities are concerned that, without prior experience, troops especially those in the frontline in the crackdown on terrorism may come into contact with pathogens.

The programme provided screening for troops and their civilian colleagues. And the same is expected to be done in all Nigerian Air Force formations across the country.