To safeguard public health and ensure food safety across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the FCT Administration has announced plans to commence mandatory hepatitis screening for all food handlers, including those working in restaurants, markets, bakeries, and canteens.
In a statement signed by the senior special assistant on
Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, the initiative, unveiled in commemoration of World Hepatitis Day 2025, seeks to prevent the spread of hepatitis and other foodborne diseases while strengthening consumer confidence in Abuja’s food industry.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, in a goodwill message delivered by the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, emphasised the critical role of food handlers in public health and the dangers posed by hepatitis transmission.
“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.
“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 the 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.
The minister urged all stakeholders, government agencies, private businesses, healthcare providers, and food vendors to support the initiative by mandating hepatitis screenings for food handlers.
“Promotion of free Hepatitis B vaccinations at public health facilities. Enforcement of standardised food safety training, including hepatitis awareness.
“Strict hygiene inspections and medical screening for food vendors and public awareness campaigns to combat hepatitis-related stigma.
Wike described food handlers as essential public health stewards and stressed that 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 the FCT leads by example, turning our food industry into a symbol of health, safety, and excellence,” he said.
The FCTA is expected to roll out the screening program in collaboration with private health providers in the coming weeks, with enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance across all food service establishments in Abuja.
