By Sarah NEGEDU
The Federal Capital Territory Administration is set to carry out mandatory hepatitis screening programme for food handlers in Abuja, as part of a efforts to safeguard public health and strengthen food safety compliance across the territory.
The announcement was made in a goodwill message from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to mark World Hepatitis Day 2025.
The initiative, which targets workers in restaurants, markets, bakeries, and canteens, will be implemented through a Public-Private Partnership, PPP, framework.
Wike’s Senior Special Assistant Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, said the message was delivered by the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, on behalf of the minister.
Olayinka, in a statement in Tuesday, said the exercise aligns with the National Policy on Food Safety and Quality and is designed to reduce the spread of hepatitis A, B, C, and E, particularly in high-risk food environments.
Part of the statement reads, “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.”
He 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.
He urged all stakeholders to support the project through vaccination drives, inspections, public awareness, and enforcement of hygiene standards.
“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.”
