Senator Sunday Marshall Katung has unveiled “Venture 365,” a constituency-based public well being initiative geared toward eliminating viral hepatitis throughout communities in Southern Kaduna.
The programme, launched in Kafanchan in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Well being and Social Welfare, is designed to broaden entry to screening, analysis, remedy, vaccination and prevention companies for over 620,000 residents.
Governor Uba Sani, represented by his deputy, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, described the initiative as well timed and people-centred, noting that it aligns with ongoing well being sector reforms within the state.
Talking on the flag-off held at New Selection Resort, Kafanchan, Balarabe counseled Katung for bringing the intervention to the grassroots.
“That is management that listens, responds and delivers,” she mentioned, including that the initiative displays a shared dedication to enhancing public well being outcomes.
She famous that viral hepatitis stays a silent however critical well being threat, usually undetected till superior phases, resulting in extreme liver problems and preventable deaths.
“As a medical skilled, I need to emphasise prevention. Hepatitis B and C are generally transmitted by contaminated blood and physique fluids, unsafe injections, unscreened blood transfusions and sharing of sharp objects,” she mentioned.
Balarabe urged residents to reap the benefits of the programme, stressing that early detection and correct care can save lives.
In his remarks, Katung described hepatitis as a “silent killer” answerable for vital however usually unnoticed deaths throughout communities.
“Hundreds of thousands of persons are residing with hepatitis unknowingly. With out early detection and remedy, it could progress to extreme liver ailments, together with cirrhosis and most cancers,” he mentioned.
He defined that Venture 365 would take companies on to communities, together with rural areas, markets, colleges and locations of worship, providing free screening, vaccination, remedy assist and sustained consciousness campaigns.
The programme will cowl eight native authorities areas of Kaduna South Senatorial District, together with Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Jema’a, Sanga, Kagarko, Jaba, Kachia and Kauru.
A consultant of the Coordinating Minister of State for Well being, Dr Michael Kinsley, mentioned the initiative aligns with the well being reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu geared toward strengthening major healthcare supply.
He famous that hepatitis stays a serious public well being problem, with an estimated 25 million Nigerians affected.
Additionally talking, the Nationwide President of the Nigeria Union of Lecturers, Audu Titus Amba, counseled the initiative, describing it as a step towards sustainable grassroots healthcare supply.
The Chairman of Jema’a Native Authorities Space, Hon. Peter Tanko, pledged assist for group mobilisation, urging residents to embrace testing and remedy.
The intervention is scheduled to run from April 13 to Might 29, 2026, throughout major healthcare centres within the eight native authorities areas.