Thursday, July 31, 2025 - In its bid to safeguard public health and food security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the FCT Administration (FCTA) will soon commence a comprehensive hepatitis screening of food handlers, especially those working in restaurants, markets, bakeries, canteens.
The initiative is aimed at preventing hepatitis and other
foodborne diseases, thereby protecting public health and empowering food
businesses to operate with enhanced confidence and credibility.
This was contained in the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s
goodwill message, marking the World Hepatitis Day 2025.
The goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Minister by
the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr
Adedolapo Fasawe, reads in part, “Hepatitis A and E, primarily transmitted
through contaminated food and water, can rapidly spread through poor hygiene
practices, posing serious risks in our rapidly expanding and cosmopolitan city
of Abuja.
“Furthermore, Hepatitis B and C, predominantly spread
through blood and bodily fluids, still pose a risk in food environments where
open wounds or poor hygiene are present.”
The FCT Minister described food handlers as an overlooked
group whose role is pivotal in safeguarding public health.
“Therefore, the FCT Administration, committed to
safeguarding public health and food security, is launching a strategic
initiative to enhance food safety through comprehensive hepatitis screening of
food handlers. This ambitious initiative is being scaled up through an
innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) consortium, in alignment with the
National Policy on Food Safety and Quality.
“This PPP consortium will combine efficiency, technical
expertise, and funding capacity of the private sector with government oversight
to implement regular and mandatory Hepatitis B and C screening for all food
handlers within the FCT
“We urge all stakeholders, government agencies, private
enterprises, healthcare providers, and food industry operators to actively
support this transformative initiative through the mandatory hepatitis
screenings for food handlers, promotion of free and effective Hepatitis B
vaccination at public health facilities, enforcement of standardized food
safety training inclusive of hepatitis awareness, rigorous enforcement of
licensing, hygiene inspections, and medical screening requirements for food
vendors and handlers and raising awareness and compassionately addressing the
stigma surrounding hepatitis.”
“To us, food handlers are not just service providers, they
are essential public health stewards. Simple, consistent, and safe hygiene
practices can significantly reduce hepatitis transmission.
“Therefore, let us break the silence. Hygiene cannot wait.
Screening cannot wait. Action cannot wait. Together, let’s ensure that the FCT
leads by example, turning our food industry into a symbol of health, safety,
and excellence.”
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