Ashaiman: In commemoration of World Hepatitis B Day, Lena Pharmacy, a pharmaceutical company, has organised a free Hepatitis B screening for Ashaiman residents. The beneficiaries of the screening included the youth and the aged of Ashaiman and its environs. They were also screened for malaria, blood pressure, glucose levels, weight, and other related health conditions.
According to Ghana News Agency, residents who were diagnosed with diseases during the screening received counselling and free medication to aid their well-being. Dr Issac Buabeng Nyantakyi, the Head of Sales and Marketing at Lena Pharmacy, said the gesture was to give individuals the privilege to access medical care and health education, especially those who cannot do so due to financial constraints.
Dr Nyantakyi explained that hepatitis B is a condition that involves inflammation of the liver, adding that it could be caused by several factors grouped into viral and nonviral factors. He mentioned that the viral factors include blood transfusion, unprotected sex, and childbirth, while high alcohol consumption, overdose of painkillers, and smoking constitute the non-viral factors.
Dr Nyantakyi expressed concern over the rising cases of Hepatitis B, noting that one of the main causes of Hepatitis B currently was tattooing, explaining that most of the needles used for tattooing were not sterilised well, which has become a rising concern for individuals who are interested in it. He therefore urged tattoo artists to ensure that their needles were well sterilised before they used them on any client, while asking individuals to take charge and ensure all these tools were sterilised before being used on them.
Dr Nyantakyi encouraged the public to get screened for the disease, as Hepatitis B could be treated, urging them to also refrain from high alcohol consumption, smoking, and having sexual intercourse with multiple partners, especially without protection.
Dr Maame Efua Abraham, the Regulatory Affairs Manager at Lena Pharmacy, speaking with the Ghana News Agency in an interview, said one of the main challenges in Ghana was the lack of awareness of health issues, hence their decision to celebrate this year's World Hepatitis B Day with the public to create awareness of its causes, symptoms, and some preventative measures. Touching on this year's theme, 'Hepatitis, Let's Break It Down,' she said it was only through awareness and education that the public would have enough information about the disease to help them make informed decisions to screen and take the vaccination, thereby reducing the number of cases.
Dr Abraham added that one of the myths they encountered when engaging with the public was that they believed the disease could not be treated, which makes it difficult for them to come forward for treatment. She therefore reiterated that Hepatitis B was treatable and therefore encouraged them to screen for the disease. She also encouraged pregnant women to screen for the disease and to receive the needed counselling and medication to prevent transmitting it to their children.
Some beneficiaries of the screening expressed their gratitude to Lena Pharmacy for the opportunity.
