The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced it will commence a mandatory hepatitis screening programme for all food handlers operating in the FCT. This includes individuals working in restaurants, markets, bakeries, and canteens across Abuja.
The move is part of a wider initiative aimed at strengthening food safety and protecting public health, as disclosed by FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in a statement marking the 2025 World Hepatitis Day. The statement was presented on his behalf by Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat.
“This, in the long run, will protect public health and empower food businesses to operate with enhanced confidence and credibility”, the statement noted.RISING CONCERNS OVER HEPATITIS TRANSMISSION
The minister raised concerns about Hepatitis A and E, which are primarily spread through contaminated food and water. He stressed that poor hygiene practices make the spread of these diseases highly likely in a cosmopolitan and rapidly expanding city like Abuja.
He also mentioned that Hepatitis B and C, transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, pose additional risks in environments where open wounds or poor hygiene are present.
FOOD HANDLERS AS PUBLIC HEALTH GATEKEEPERS
The minister noted that food handlers, though often overlooked, serve as critical gatekeepers in the protection of public health.
“Therefore, the FCT Administration, committed to safeguarding public health and food security, is unveiling a strategic initiative to enhance food safety through comprehensive hepatitis screening of food handlers”, he said.He explained that the screening exercise will be scaled through an innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) consortium, in line 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 said.COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY AND STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT
The minister called on all relevant stakeholders, including government bodies, private sector players, healthcare providers, and operators in the food industry, to support the initiative.
Support, he said, can come through:
• mandatory hepatitis screening for all food handlers
• promotion of free and effective Hepatitis B vaccinations at public health centres
• enforcement of food safety training with hepatitis awareness components
• rigorous licensing, hygiene inspection, and medical screening requirements
• raising public awareness and tackling stigma associated with hepatitis
A CRITICAL CALL TO ACTION
The FCT Minister underscored that food handlers are more than service providers. According to him, they are essential public health stewards who can play a major role in reducing hepatitis transmission through safe hygiene practices.
He emphasized that breaking the silence around hepatitis and acting decisively through screening, hygiene, and vaccination cannot be postponed.
“We urge all stakeholders to join hands in making the FCT a model of health, safety, and excellence in the food industry”, the statement concluded.This announcement reflects a growing urgency by Nigerian authorities to tackle infectious diseases at community level through preventive healthcare measures. With hepatitis-related complications often going unnoticed until advanced stages, the FCTA’s screening drive has the potential to significantly reduce infection rates and boost public confidence in the safety of food establishments.
