AHAPN Benue Marks World Hepatitis Day With Free Screening, Vaccination For Cleaners, Porters
The Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria (AHAPN), Benue State Chapter, has commemorated the 2026 World Hepatitis Day with a free Hepatitis B screening and vaccination exercise targeting cleaners and porters at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH.
The event, held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the GOPD Conference Room of BSUTH, was themed “LET’S BREAK IT DOWN” with the sub-theme “Protecting Our Healthcare Workforce – Together Against Hepatitis B!”
Speaking at the event, Chairman Association of Hospital Pharmacists (AHAPN) Benue State Chapter, Pharm. Charity Onyowoicho Odihi, said the decision to focus on cleaners and porters was deliberate, noting that support staff are often at the frontline of exposure to infectious materials yet are frequently overlooked in health interventions.
Participants benefited from free Hepatitis B screening, with eligible persons receiving complete vaccination doses at no cost.
The commemoration drew support from key health institutions and professional bodies including the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Benue State Primary Health Care Board, MLSCN Benue Chapter, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Tarei Pharmacy, and Onankpa Pharmaceuticals. The Office of Dr. Stephen Hwande and the CMD of BSUTH also provided support for the outreach.
Officials emphasized that the campaign aligns with global efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, stressing the need to equip healthcare workers with knowledge, testing, and protection.
The tagline for the day, _“GET INFORMED, GET VACCINATED, GET PROTECTED. Together, Let’s Break It Down!”_ was echoed throughout the program as health workers engaged beneficiaries on prevention, transmission, and the importance of early detection.
AHAPN Benue said the exercise is part of its commitment to strengthening infection prevention and control within hospital settings, while advocating for sustained investment in the health and safety of all categories of health workers.
Organizers called on government, NGOs, and well-meaning individuals to support similar initiatives across other health facilities in the state.