The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced the launch of a compulsory hepatitis screening exercise for all food handlers operating in restaurants, markets, bakeries, and canteens throughout Abuja.
The initiative, which is set to commence in the coming days, is part of a broader public health campaign aimed at preventing the spread of hepatitis and safeguarding the health of residents in the nation’s capital.
According to the FCTA, the screening will target food vendors who come in direct contact with consumables, as they play a critical role in ensuring food safety and hygiene.
A senior official from the Health and Human Services Secretariat emphasized that this step was necessary due to rising concerns about the transmission of hepatitis through unsanitary food handling practices. “We cannot afford to overlook the importance of health checks for those who serve food to the public daily,” the official stated.
Health officers will be deployed across the six Area Councils of the FCT to supervise the implementation of the exercise. Food vendors who fail to comply may face penalties, including possible closure of their businesses.
The FCTA urged all stakeholders in the food industry to cooperate fully, noting that early detection and treatment of hepatitis will help reduce its spread and protect both consumers and food handlers.
Residents have welcomed the move, describing it as timely and essential for public safety, especially given the high volume of daily food transactions across the city.
