The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says it will soon begin the screening of food handlers, especially those working in restaurants, markets, bakeries and canteens, for hepatitis.

The FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this in a message to commemorate the 2025 World Hepatitis Day in Abuja on Wednesday.

In the message, read by Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, health services and environment secretariat,  the minister said that the move was to safeguard public health and food security in the FCT.

According to him, the initiative is aimed at preventing hepatitis and other foodborne diseases.

“This, in the long run, will  protect public health and empower food businesses to operate with enhanced confidence and credibility.”

The minister pointed out that Hepatitis A and E, primarily transmitted through contaminated food and water, could rapidly spread through poor hygiene practices, posing serious risks to the rapidly expanding cosmopolitan city of Abuja.

He added that Hepatitis B and C, predominantly spread through blood and bodily fluids, equally pose a risk in food environments where open wounds or poor hygiene are present,

The minister said that food handlers are often overlooked, but could play a pivotal role in safeguarding 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.

“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,” Mr Wike said.

He urged relevant stakeholders, government agencies, private enterprises, healthcare providers and food industry operators to actively support the transformative initiative.

He explained that the stakeholders could support the government through mandatory hepatitis screenings for food handlers, promotion of free and effective Hepatitis B vaccination at public health facilities, enforcement of standardised food safety training, including hepatitis awareness.

Other areas of support he added included rigorous enforcement of licensing, hygiene inspections, and medical screening requirements for food vendors and handlers, and raising awareness and 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.

“Let us break the silence. Hygiene cannot wait; screening cannot wait; action cannot wait.

“Together, let’s ensure that FCT leads by example – turning our food industry into a symbol of health, safety and excellence,” he said. 

(NAN)