The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), has called on the public especially those who tested negative to Hepatitis B virus to take full dose of vaccination to avoid being infected with the
disease in future.
Miss Nwaana Aboagye-Asare, member of PSGH and Senior Pharmacist of the Port Clinic, Tema, advised people against having partial vaccination since they could equally be at risk of getting the virus.
The Senior Pharmacist gave the advice during a free screening exercise for 200 residents of Tema, organized by the Port Clinic in collaboration with the PSGH, to mark the World Hepatitis Day, which was celebrated on May 19 on the theme, "Am I the number 12?".
She said the viral liver disease, which is spread through body fluid excluding sweat and tears was preventable and treatable and advised Ghanaians to test for the disease and be vaccinated.
Miss Aboagye-Asare said 1,098 people were screened last year out of which 10 percent tested Hepatitis B positive and as at 1030 hours when GNA visited Tema to observe this year's exercise, 90 people have been screened with 10 being positive.
She said the national prevalent rate of the disease was between 8 and 12 percent with Northern region having the highest of 40 percent.
Miss Aboagye-Asare said the exercise was to help the
residents to either vaccinate against the disease or treat for the disease adding that it was estimated that one out of every 12 persons worldwide had Hepatitis B.