Hepatitis awareness in Benue State moved from public streets to a community learning space as OWACDO marked World Hepatitis Day 2026 with an awareness walk, free screening and targeted sensitisation for women.
OWACDO joined the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services and other stakeholders to promote prevention, early detection and treatment. The combined activities helped residents understand why testing and accurate health information matter, even when a person feels well.
An awareness walk that connected people with services
The walk began at Tomimas Filling Station and ended at the Ministry of Health and Human Services. Along the route, participants engaged members of the public on ways hepatitis can be prevented and the importance of early testing.
Free hepatitis screening was made available, while condoms and information, education and communication materials were distributed to support healthier choices and wider disease-prevention awareness. Connecting public education with screening gave participants an immediate opportunity to act on the information they received.
Reaching 150 women in Ichwa community
OWACDO extended the commemoration to Ichwa community, where 150 women participated in a sensitisation session. The discussion covered hepatitis transmission and prevention, the importance of early testing and the availability of treatment options.
Participants were encouraged to prioritise appropriate health checks, seek qualified medical advice and share accurate information within their households and community networks. Women are often central to family health decisions, so equipping them with reliable knowledge can extend the value of one session to many more people.
Why early awareness remains important
Hepatitis may not always produce obvious early symptoms, which makes awareness and testing especially important. Community education can also reduce fear and misinformation by directing people toward recognised health services instead of rumours or unverified remedies.
Through the public walk, screening and Ichwa session, OWACDO reaffirmed its commitment to preventive healthcare. The organisation will continue working with public institutions and communities to make practical health information more accessible and to support the wider effort to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public-health threat.