HEPATITIS B AWARENESS FOR TRUCK DRIVERS IN TEMA (PAGE 30)

A family physician at the Port Medical Centre in Tema, Dr Nii Anum Aryeh, has advocated a universal screening for hepatitis B (HB) because of its increasing spread and high prevalence in the country.
According to him, between seven and 12 per cent of blood screened at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital were found to be infected with hepatitis B.
Dr Aryeh said 20 per cent of the cases were found to have been mostly from the use of unsterilised sharp instruments.
He indicated that hepatitis B had a prevalence rate of six per cent as against three per cent of HIV, making it comparatively more dangerous than HIV.
Dr Aryeh made the disclosures at a campaign against hepatitis B for truck drivers at the 10th anniversary celebration of Jon Moore International Haulage Company at Tema.
The theme for the anniversary was “Help Prevent Hepatitis B — Tell A friend, Be Careful Anyone Can Be a Victim”.
He said truck haulage drivers who conveyed goods across the country’s borders stood a greater risk of being infected with the HB because of the possibility of having multiple sexual partners.
Dr Aryeh advised the drivers to avoid the services of untrained ‘wanzams’, street barbers and unqualified pedicure and manicure operators.
He noted that shared toothbrushes, blades and scissors and contact with tears, urine, semen, saliva and all other infected body fluids could be sources of infection.
Dr Aryeh also advised against homosexuality, heterosexuality and intravenous drug use.
He said every Ghanaian should get vaccinated to be protected against the virus, noting that excessive drinking and consumption of mouldy foods must be avoided.
Dr Aryeh said Glaxo SmithKline & Roche Firm had drawn up a programme for selected medical centres in Ghana including the Port Medical Centre in Tema and Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital to undertake education in Ghana to eradicate hepatitis B syndrome from the world.
The Head of the Transport Unit of the Jon Moore International Haulage Company, Mr Ekow Botwe, said the survival of the company depended on the workforce which mostly comprised drivers who conveyed the goods and, therefore, the need for their safety and good health to be ensured.
He explained that drivers stood the risk of being infected with diseases that could be prevented, considering their contacts with different people along the routes that they plied.
Mr Botwe said the company decided to use its 10th anniversary celebrations to educate the workers and create awareness about the hepatitis B virus.
He said as part of its corporate responsibility, the company had started the construction of a dormitory block at Ve Koloenu in the Hohoe District of the Volta Region to house an orphanage for 60 children.
Mr Botwe urged the drivers to lead healthy lifestyles to avoid being infected with the hepatitis B virus.
The drivers mounted a float through the Tema metropolis to create awareness on the hepatitis B virus.