Ocean Road Cancer Institute offers Hepatitis screening

What you need to know:

According to an advertisement published by ORCI management on Thursday, September 13, the centre said it was charging Sh8,000 for customers using the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Jubilee Insurance, Strategis and Resolution insurance cards.

Dar es Salaam. The Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) has announced that in an effort to fight against Hepatitis B the facility is offering vaccine services for the disease.  

According to an advertisement published by ORCI management on Thursday, September 13, the centre said it was charging Sh8,000 for customers using the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Jubilee Insurance, Strategis and Resolution insurance cards.

They said customers without health insurance would be charged Sh30, 000 per person by the institution. “The services will be provided everyday from morning to evening,” read part of the advert.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause both acute and chronic diseases. The virus is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.

An estimated 257 million people are living with hepatitis B virus (defined as hepatitis B surface antigen positive).

A report in 2015, showed that hepatitis B resulted in 887,000 deaths, mostly from complications (including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma).

Hepatitis B is an important occupational hazard for health workers. However, it can be prevented by currently available safe and effective vaccine.