MARCH/APRIL 2021: VOL 50

hepVoiceYour magazine from the World Hepatitis Alliance

Wall of stories: Breaking the cycle

Special NOhep Moms issue: learn more about our campaign to raise awareness of mother-to-child transmission of

HepBcommunity.org: a global online forum supporting people affected by hepatitis B

hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 1 Welcome to hepVoice Contents Stay connected

www.worldhepatitisalliance.org In this issue, we focus on the prevention of mother- Regulars to-child transmission of hepatitis B as part of our new [email protected] NOhep Moms campaign. 4 hepHeadlines www.facebook.com/worldhepalliance Across the globe, children are being born with hepatitis 6 Dates for the diary B, unknowingly passed onto them by their mothers at @Hep_Alliance birth. For mothers, this can create a terrible burden of guilt and shame. This can be prevented by simple and Features @worldhepatitisalliance affordable interventions. 8 HepBcommunity.org: The NOhep Moms campaign invites all mothers, fathers a global online forum and activists to unite to call for an end to this injustice, making our children the first NOhep generation. You can supporting people read more about the campaign and how you can get affected by hepatitis B Want to contribute?

involved on page 12. We welcome your contributions so Don’t 12 NOhep Moms campaign please get in touch at miss out In this issue, we are also focusing on two extraordinary [email protected] - receive individuals working to combat the stigma, discrimination 16 It’s time to hepinion to have your news and stories hepVoice and isolation that so many people living with hepatitis speak up on mother-to- included in future issues and feel free straight experience. Chris Munoz, from the Yellow Warriors child hepatitis to your to share this magazine with Society of the Philippines, tell us about how he has B transmission! inbox! been fighting on behalf of a chef who was discriminated your network. against because of their hepatitis B. We also speak to 18 Wall of stories: Thomas Tu about a new online support community, Breaking the cycle designed and led by people living with hepatitis B. Fighting discrimination I hope you enjoy this edition and if you have a story that 20 you would like featured, please get in touch. in the Philippines

24 WHA welcomes new members

26 Find the Missing Millions: inspiration from Mexico Cary James,

WHA Chief Executive

2 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 3 Since the India National Outreach to people risk of widespread Viral Hepatitis Control experiencing COVID-19 and Programme (NVHCP) homelessness in England deaths among homeless headlines launch in 2017, 59 achieved large-scale people. The peer support hepatitis treatment testing for network run by WHA centres have opened in during the member, the Hepatitis hep Punjab state. "Punjab COVID-19 lockdown C Trust reached out to Hepatitis is regularly making the news. Here are a few was the first Indian state people experiencing highlights from around the world. to offer free antiviral homelessness to offer treatment for hepatitis free hepatitis C tests and Investment cases for and assess the potential elimination in Africa. In C," said Punjab Health linkage to care. hepatitis C: never financing sources for the interview Danjuma Minister Balbir Singh Over 1,200 people more important hepatitis C elimination shines a light on the Sidhu. "Since the start were tested with one in programmes. Each burden of hepatitis in of the programme, over 91,000 people living with ten testing positive for elimination scenario Africa and gives advice During the first national hepatitis C have started hepatitis C. The majority demonstrated that to governments and lockdown in England the the free treatment. of those who tested mobilising resources other stakeholders government provided 74,000 have already positive were linked to to support hepatitis C on how to reach temporary housing completed the treatment care and elimination by 2030 is elimination. He calls for to homeless people with a cure rate of 93%." offered treatment. cost-effective countries to develop and sleeping on the streets and cost-saving. implement national viral Read more here. in order to reduce the Read more here. hepatitis plans, raise The global investment Read more here. awareness and provide case demonstrates that access to diagnostics Catch up on the Hepatitis B hepatitis C elimination and treatment. Foundation, Hep B United, and the is conclusively cost- World Hepatitis Alliance webinar saving and life-saving. During his term 'Global Impact of the COVID-19 However, only five at WHA, Danjuma Pandemic on Hepatitis B Prevention countries are on track hopes to increase the and Treatment Services'. In this to reach elimination commitment from webinar, panellists discuss the short by 2030. The World African governments and possible long-term impacts of Hepatitis Alliance, and inspire the affected the global pandemic on hepatitis B initiatives, including disruptions to together with the Clinton What Africa should do community to push Health Access Initiative for change. prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to tackle services that potentially threaten (CHAI) and partners, viral hepatitis global hepatitis B elimination have been working Read more here. goals. Speakers also share local Left to right: Jessica Hicks, World collaboratively with Danjuma Adda, a 59 hepatitis treatment experiences and recommendations Hepatitis Alliance; Caitlin Pley, governments in Punjab Nigerian centres established in on strategies to mitigate the impact University of Cambridge; Kate State in India, Nigeria, expert and WHA of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moraras, Hepatitis B Foundation; Punjab over a three- and Cambodia to project President-elect, gave Arafat Bwambale, Great Lakes year period elimination costs, create an interview for SciDev. Catch up on the webinar here. Peace Center. the investment case, Net about hepatitis

4 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 5 Participating in a hepatitis related activity or have an event planned? Email us on [email protected] or contact us on social media.

member states. At the next World Health Assembly, the new global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis is set to be discussed. This will provide a Key advocacy dates useful advocacy opportunity, reminding governments of the promise they Upcoming events and activities taking place in the made to eliminate hepatitis by 2030. Learn more. coming months. 7 June World Food Safety Day 23 - 30 April World Food Safety Day aims to draw attention and inspire action to help World Immunisation Week prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to good health and sustainable development. This year’s theme: ‘Safe food today for a healthy World Immunisation Week aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect tomorrow,’ stresses that the production and consumption of safe food has people of all ages against . This year’s theme is: ‘Vaccines bring us immediate and long-term health benefits for people, the planet and the closer.’ The hepatitis B vaccine brings families closer by allowing mothers economy. Food safety and proper sanitation are necessary to reduce their risk to safely care for their babies without fear of transmission and protecting of exposure to hepatitis A and E. Learn more. new generations from this deadly virus. This is why we are advocating for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission in our new NOhep Moms campaign. Learn more. 14 June World Blood Donor Day 14 - 21 May World Blood Donor Day serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood Spring European Testing Week and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life- saving gifts of blood. Hepatitis is the most common transmitted by European Testing Week is a campaign that encourages partner organisations blood transfusion and it poses an immense burden on global health. Ensuring in community, health care and policy institutions to unite for one week to the safety of blood and blood products is key to hepatitis elimination. increase testing efforts and promote awareness of the benefits of early Learn more. hepatitis and HIV diagnosis.

World Hepatitis Alliance members are invited to use the Find the Missing Millions campaign to raise awareness about the need for an upscaling of testing and diagnosis in order to reach hepatitis elimination. Learn more.

24 May - 1 June World Health Assembly

The World Health Assembly is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). It is composed of health ministers from all 194 WHO

6 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 7 doctor, I realised I hadn't absorbed anything else he had told me. So, I did what many people do and went online to search for information. I wanted to find a community of people going through the same thing, but I couldn't find anything.

I could only find medical information and that was all that was there. I HepBcommunity.org: realised then there was an additional problem with just ‘Googling’ it: there are many scams and lots of people a global online forum selling fake cures and some people sharing well-intentioned but ill- supporting people informed information. To learn more about it, I went to university to get a degree in affected by hepatitis B Biomedical Science, followed by a PhD Dr Thomas Tu in hepatitis B Research. Years later, I saw an article about World I decided to look online again for a Hepatitis Alliance community. Almost 20 years after I first looked, there was still no online "Almost 20 years after forum supporting people living with Isolation, loneliness, and a people going through the I first looked, there was hepatitis B and connecting them with need for connection are often same experiences, offering accurate information from experts. still no online forum I realised that as someone with a hidden symptoms of hepatitis advice and support. scientific background and as someone B. People newly diagnosed supporting people living with hepatitis B, I could make with hepatitis B are left with We sat down with Thomas to living with hepatitis B." the connections to create a forum. a lot of unanswered questions find out more. How does the forum work? and limited support. Thomas President, Dr Su Wang speaking What motivated you to set up about living with hepatitis B and I Privacy was a big concern when setting Tu, an Australian based hepBcommunity.org? read about Joan Block, one of the up the forum, because stigma is a scientist living with hepatitis When the doctor first broke the news founders of the Hepatitis B Foundation huge issue for people living with B has created a growing to me about my diagnosis when I was in the USA. They were both speaking hepatitis B. We allow people to post publicly about their own hepatitis B online community supporting 14, I was filled with a lot of emotions. anonymously if they feel I couldn't absorb anything else except experience. I felt I should be doing that uncomfortable about being identified. people living with hepatitis "You're stuck with this the rest of your too, so that spurred me to ratchet up B. It serves to connect with life." When I went home from the my advocacy work. We also have several other measures to protect people’s privacy. You have a

8 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 9 user name that can be anything you to read if you aren’t comfortable thing I'd like to see is the coming want. It can be your name or one you with registering yet; so you can read together of multiple stakeholders, all "I hope this community choose. You don't need to share your answers to questions other people sharing and learning from each other. can act like a family location or anything like that. Your have asked. A lot of the conversations in the email address is also never clinical field and in science are for people living with shown publicly. We have around 150 users from happening without the input of people hepatitis B. People around the world at the moment affected by viral hepatitis. I would like "When I was struggling and they are starting conversations to see the forum becoming a place deserve to and participating in community where a strong patient voice can be with the emotions of discussions. For me, it is really harnessed to facilitate discussions. be supported. " rewarding to see people being being diagnosed, I wish supported by their peers. When I was As a scientist myself, I know many Most importantly, I want people living I had this type of group struggling with the emotions of being scientists that have worked in the with hepatitis B to feel supported and diagnosed, I wish I had this type of field for decades and they have empowered. I hope this community to offer advice group to offer advice and support. never spoken to someone living with can act like a family for people living hepatitis B and never heard about with hepatitis B; particularly if they and support." how it is affecting their day-to-day cannot be completely open with What are your hopes for the forum? I also wanted the forum to be able to lives. That connection can really focus people close to them. People deserve I hope this will get to a critical mass of identify people that were trustworthy the scientist in their work, using their to be supported. I hope the loneliness users, encouraging offshoot sources of information. So we have knowledge and research to make a and the shame people experience from movements and empowering societal a verification process for clinicians difference and combat the problems hepatitis B can be alleviated by this change from the bottom upwards. One and nurses to be confirmed as health that have been highlighted to them. community connection. experts. They are on the forum to answer questions and give good How can people sign up? advice about health guidelines and I want to encourage everyone to join treatment options. the forum by registering at www. HepBcommunity.org. The stronger the We also have verified scientists on community can become, the more the forum to explain to people what influential the forum can be and the is coming in terms of a hepatitis B more people we can help. If you're an cure and other scientific and technical expert, please join so that you can issues around hepatitis B. People can share your knowledge and so that you then ask questions and engage in can listen and learn about the the science of hepatitis B, like how problems people living with the virus works and how people are hepatitis B face. developing new cures.

The site is entirely free and open to join, you just need an email address to Feel free to contact info@ register. People looking for advice can hepbcommunity.org with any quickly get it. It is even free for people comments or queries.

10 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 11 Moms fighting hepatitis

12 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 13 NOhep Moms ask:

Every day, pregnant women living deliver the birth dose vaccine to How to get involved in NOhep Moms: with undiagnosed hepatitis B, newborn babies. unknowingly pass the virus on to NOhep Moms open letter to In 2018 GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance In 2016, every government in their babies, putting their child at GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance committed to supporting hepatitis B the world promised to eliminate higher risk of liver cancer. Without birth dose in their Vaccine hepatitis by 2030. But without preventive measures, 90% of babies Investment Strategy. However, the putting an end to mother-to-child born to hepatitis B positive mothers implementation of the programme transmission of hepatitis B, this develop a chronic has been delayed due to the COVID-19 remains an empty promise. hepatitis B . pandemic. We urge GAVI not to wait for the pandemic to be over to implement its Ending mother-to-child This is why NOhep and the World hepatitis B birth dose commitment. transmission is key to hepatitis Hepatitis Alliance are launching NOhep Moms, a new campaign to elimination. We can achieve this The prevention of mother-to-child hepatitis raise awareness of hepatitis B and to if we test all pregnant women for B transmission is an urgent crisis. Infants call for governments, international hepatitis B, linking them to care who are born with hepatitis B live with donors and others to recognise the and vaccinating their babies against it throughout their lives, impacting their urgency and do their part to end hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine health and livelihoods. In our open letter, mother-to-child transmission is safe, effective and affordable. we urge GAVI to accelerate plans to of hepatitis B. Despite this, only 48% of countries provide the hepatitis B birth dose vaccine to low- and middle-income countries. Sign the letter and join our call.

14 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 15 Make your own NOhep Moms poster Mother-to-child transmission is the main route for hepatitis B You can make your own NOhep Moms campaign poster and share it on transmission, and without putting social media! The fully customizable poster allows you to upload your an end to it elimination will photos, choose your own messaging, upload your organisation logo and stay out of reach. Share NOhep translate your poster to over a 100 languages! Moms video on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission to Once you have your poster share it among friends or on social media raise awareness. to raise awareness of hepatitis. Don't forget to tag NOhep and use the #NOhep. Make your own poster. Download and share the video on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

Help us guide expectant mothers through hepatitis B in pregnancy by sharing the prevention of mother-to- child transmission flyer. You can make one in your local language using the translate function of our poster tool.

Download and translate the flyer.

If you have been affected by viral hepatitis, or have a child who has received the hepatitis B birth dose and are willing to share your story and tell the world what the prevention of mother-to-child transmission means to you then please get in touch so we can share your story.

16 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 17 It’s time to speak up on mother- hepinion to-child hepatitis B transmission! A modelling study led by the World Health Organization and Imperial As a mother living College London suggests that under with hepatitis B, I a worst-case scenario, there could see this as an urgent be a projected 5.3 million additional crisis. My four children chronic hepatitis B infections received the birth among children born between 2020 dose and are hepatitis and 2030, leading to one million B free and I am additional deaths. eternally grateful. But I am gravely concerned "I can only imagine the that this is not By Dr Su Wang, WHA President accessible to everyone. guilt they feel if their Mothers everywhere Following the launch of NOhep children are infected are struggling to get Moms Dr Su Wang, WHA President services and they and mother living with hepatitis B and how they are worry about passing speaks up on the burden of mother- on the infection. to-child hepatitis B transmission. plagued with worry I can only imagine the The prevention of mother-to-child over the life-changing guilt they feel if their Dr Su Wang with her family hepatitis B transmission is an urgent impact on their child’s children are infected and how they are crisis. Infants who are born with It is time for parents and family health and plagued with worry over the life- hepatitis B live with it throughout members to speak up. Mothers and changing impact on their child’s their lives, impacting on their health babies deserve these simple tools life opportunities." health and life opportunities. The and livelihoods. Those living with to combat hepatitis B. It is within tragedy is that it was preventable hepatitis B face the ever-present The interventions to prevent mother- our reach, but we must not wait. through simple and affordable threat of developing liver cancer. to-child transmission of hepatitis B We call on everyone to demand interventions. We should be testing Globally, liver cancer rates continue are not new; the hepatitis B birth that governments, policy makers, all pregnant women for hepatitis B to rise and chronic hepatitis B is a dose vaccine has been around for health systems and international and vaccinating all babies. major driver. years and is available for pennies, but donors prioritise the health of only 43% of babies receive it globally. mothers and babies. It is estimated that there are 8.9 Medications for treating a pregnant "As a mother living million under 5-year-old children woman’s high viral load have been This Hepinion features Dr Su currently living with hepatitis B. This generic for years, but treatment is with hepatitis B, I see Wang’s contribution to the 2021 is a tragedy, as these cases could not always offered. Your Liver campaign. have been prevented. this as an urgent crisis."

18 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 19 Wall of stories: Breaking the cycle

Together, our stories can change the to hepatitis B and was free of B. “During my delivery, I made sure diagnosis and was way the world sees viral hepatitis. infection,” she recalled. But after the the hospital staff were aware of my quickly vaccinated. hepatitis B test came back positive hepatitis B. I constantly reminded Michelle is one of 1.25 million during her pregnancy, Michelle went them to make sure my baby Today, Michelle has a second child, Americans living with chronic to see a specialist for more tests. received the hepatitis B vaccine who was also promptly vaccinated at hepatitis B. Michelle was born in This time, he confirmed she had within 12 hours of her birth, which birth and remains free of hepatitis B. 1969 to an American father and chronic hepatitis B. Most teens and prevents mother-to-child infection Vietnamese mother, who had met adults infected with the hepatitis B 90 percent of the time. Fortunately, “Knowing that both my children and married during the virus experience only a brief or acute the hospital staff were on top were properly immunised against Vietnam War. infection. However, when newborns of things and my daughter was hepatitis B at birth gave me great like Michelle are infected, they face vaccinated properly and today is free confidence that they would be free She grew up healthy and happy in a 90 percent risk of developing a of hepatitis B.” of hepatitis B,” said Michelle. “Sadly Kentucky, unaware that her mother chronic or life-long though, this means that only my had unknowingly passed on the hepatitis B infection. "During my delivery, I children’s branch of my family tree hepatitis B virus to her at birth. will be free of hepatitis B. I wish I When Michelle was born, there was "Knowing that both made sure the hospital could say the same for the rest.” no hepatitis B vaccine available to prevent this infection. Had she been my children were staff were aware of immunised within 12 hours of birth, my hepatitis B." Thank you to The Hepatitis B she would be not be living with properly immunised Foundation for allowing us to hepatitis B today. share Michelle's story. Read against hepatitis B at Michelle’s husband also tested other stories from their #justB negative for hepatitis B after her “I found out about my infection birth gave me great storytelling campaign here. through a routine blood test during my first pregnancy in 2000,” confidence that they Michelle said. Kentucky is one of would be free the few states in the country that require pregnant women to be of hepatitis B." screened for hepatitis B. “The nurse called me at home to tell me my “After my diagnosis, I experienced hepatitis B test had come back the emotional succession of denial, positive. I immediately thought it depression and then acceptance of was a lab error.” my hepatitis B infection,” she said.

“Eight years earlier, I had donated Her immediate concern was to blood and was told that I had make sure her newborn daughter hepatitis B. I was re-tested, and they would not be infected with hepatitis told me I had never been exposed

See more stories and submit your own at: 20 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 21 www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/wall-stories

Join us for the NOhep Moms webinar!

Join us for our 2021 NOhep Moms webinar and learn more about the importance of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of hepatitis B.

Learn more from the World Health Organization (WHO) on the latest guidelines and hear from mothers living with hepatitis B on what PMTCT means to them and their families.

Sign up for the webinar.

Panellists:

Su Wang Olufunmilayo Lesi President World World Health Hepatitis Alliance Organization

Bisi Bright Lien Tran Live Well Initiative World Hepatitis and Women in Alliance Hepatitis Africa

Join the conversation on 27 April at 7am New York, 12pm London, 1pm Geneva, 7pm Beijing.

Or catch up at www.nohep.org/moms

22 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 23 2021 marks the first time that YWSP How did YWSP celebrate truly celebrated Liver Cancer and Viral the month? Fighting discrimination in Hepatitis Awareness and Prevention Month, since we are always more Since the national capital region is still focused on . We in general community quarantine the Philippines decided to mark the month, as it was because of the COVID-19 pandemic, an opportunity to talk about hepatitis we opted to do awareness-raising not only on July 28, but throughout online by hosting webinars. The the year. We now have our monthly Hepatology Society of the Philippines The Yellow Warriors Society Philippines to speak to him about how webinars, which are attracting a larger held a webinar at the start of the Philippines (YWSP) is the only the organisation raises awareness of audience to our social media. We month and the YWSP held one at the viral hepatitis and tackles stigma end. The YWSP webinar focused on the nationwide and community- see Liver Cancer and Viral Hepatitis and discrimination. Awareness and Prevention Month as local government unit’s pilot project to based voluntary health the start of the conversation, which make testing, diagnostics and organisation, dedicated What is Liver Cancer and Viral is not limited to that month alone. treatment of hepatitis B and C free in to promoting a healthy Hepatitis Awareness and Prevention It is the opportunity to start an the city. We aimed to promote the Month, and when was it ongoing conversation about hepatitis project and let the public know about and productive society by first founded? throughout the year. the services available, how to access fighting and preventing It is an act from the Philippines them and why they were important. viral hepatitis. The society is government that declares January as dedicated to ending all forms Liver Cancer and Viral Hepatitis "The YWSP webinar Awareness and Prevention Month. It of discrimination for people was passed by the Senate and House focused on the local living with viral hepatitis, of Representatives of the Philippines in government unit’s whilst reducing suffering Congress and was signed and through advocacy, research, approved by the president of the pilot project to make Philippines in April 2013. education, and testing, diagnostics support services. "Liver Cancer and Viral and treatment of January was Liver Cancer and Viral Hepatitis Awareness hepatitis B and C free Hepatitis Awareness and Prevention Month in the Philippines. The burden and Prevention Month in the city." of viral hepatitis in the Philippines is is the opportunity Participants included Dr. Belimac, high. The World Health Organization who is programme manager for viral estimates that over 11.25 million to start an ongoing hepatitis, as well as programme people live with a chronic infection, leaders from different cities. They were making up over 10% of the conversation about joined by World Health Organization country's population. We sat down e-poster contest entry hepatitis throughout Philippines, Hepatology Societyof the with YWSP advisor Chris Munoz, who Philippines and other guests, including volunteers to help fight hepatitis in the the year."

24 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 25 legislators. We also held a poster, of transportation to show up at court, What happened with the e-slogan and video making contest to or are busy searching for a new job. chef’s case? encourage people to talk about This case was the only one in which viral hepatitis. the complainant was committed to We fought for four years, because finishing, no matter how long it took. there was no proof that the chef could "The e-poster, slogan be dismissed based on their hepatitis B We determined that this was a case diagnosis and that their co-workers and video contest of discrimination and unfair dismissal were not at risk due to him having and found it imperative to win the hepatitis B. We won in what we was undertaken to case since there was no precedent of consider to be a landmark encourage more people such a case being brought before the employment discrimination case. It Philippines' courts. We relied on the was a complete vindication of the to share their stories or "Guidelines for the Implementation of strong position that we took and a Workplace Policy and Program for believed in. We hope that this case express themselves." hepatitis B," which stated that "there will set a new legal precedent shall be no discrimination of any form against discrimination. The e-poster, slogan and video contest against workers on the basis of their was undertaken to encourage more hepatitis B status." people to share their stories or express "We won in what themselves. One of the contest criteria e-poster contest entry we consider to be a is that their work should be liked and shared with as many people as than the virus's physical effects. In a landmark employment possible. We were surprised by the recent case, we worked with a chef discrimination case." high turnout of participants. Initially, who was laid off in 2016 when their we expected no more than three employer was made aware of their submissions per category. However, we However, our work is far from over. condition through a medical The legal battle was very long welcomed dozens of entries, including certificate. The employer argued that ones from people who are not living and it brought great psychological their employment had to be stress to the complainant, who was with viral hepatitis. We shared their terminated because their "illness could work online so a wider audience can unemployed for years while awaiting be contagious." I have been a decision. Our end goal is to have a appreciate it and also submitted some representing people who faced pre- entries to the NOhep story contest. law that would prohibit the screening employment and workplace of people living with viral hepatitis for discrimination for years. employment purposes. Why is it important to raise awareness of hepatitis in As an NGO, we have permission To find out more about the work of the Philippines? from the Department of Labour to the YWSP, visit their website. Hepatitis B stigma and discrimination represent complainants in workplace have been an ongoing problem in the discrimination cases. The only issue is that these cases take a long time and To keep up to date with the YWSP Philippines, often having a more Facebook and Twitter page. significant impact on the individual complainants often do not want to e-poster contest entry pursue it because they have no means

26 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 27 WHA welcomes new members

WHA has recently welcomed four new members to the organisation, which now represents 310 members across 100 countries.

HEP Initiative Zambia HEP Initiative Zambia's mission and vision is a Zambia free from hepatitis. They strive to provide adequate, affordable and accessible hepatitis education, testing and treatment.

Visit their website

Follow HEP Initiative Zambia on Facebook.

Youth Development & Health Initiatives Nigeria Youth Development & Health Initiatives Nigeria is a non-profit organisation involved in community viral hepatitis education for people who inject drugs through their syringe exchange programme. They offer testing and linkage to care for LGBTQ and sex-worker communities.

Follow Youth Development & Health Initiatives Nigeria on Facebook.

28 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 29 Inspiration from around the world

"The cascade effect of Top tips for success this visibility in terms The cooperation from different stakeholder such as the hospital authorities, Inspiration from hospital staff and university staff. of people telling their around the Utilising social media, email and adverts on university campuses highlighting friends and family the risk factors of hepatitis C. can have a significant world - Mexico Staggering testing to allow different participants with varying timetables impact on the to attend. Through the Find the Missing awareness of Millions campaign, we are It was held on a Sunday on both the viral hepatitis." walk and bikeway at Paseo de la highlighting best practice Reforma, during the half marathon. and innovations in screening MVS Radio Foundation created a and testing, so that other awareness of hepatitis on World radio advert that invited people to Hepatitis Day. They decided to host organisations can learn come and get tested on the given an event in a popular area, aimed at date, time and place. The advert and develop their national reaching as wide a range of people as was played 75 times from July 14th activities. This month we possible. The location was home to to July 28th on their radio stations hear from FundHepa, a non- people of diverse backgrounds, who across the metropolitan area. would take part in the testing. profit organisation in Mexico, In addition, personnel from The created in 1998 by a group National Institute of Medical of people concerned about Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Key learnings Zubirán (INCMNSZ) agreed to help the dramatic rise in liver Partnering with other organisations with awareness-raising and testing problems in the country. to support testing initiatives like spaces. As the event progressed, these, ensures a greater impact. it began to receive more attention FundHepa Team By Lucía Brown, Lorena Stoopen, Lucía from media outlets. It gained more Méndez Carreón, Dana Lau People who test positive for hepatitis volunteers and more organisations C must be linked to health systems supported the initiative; which helped visibility in terms of people telling As part of the WHA "Find the Missing for treatment and follow-up. provide increased assistance with their friends and family can have a Millions" programme, WHA and InTec both the testing and significant impact on the awareness Products, a diagnostic manufacturer, Sharing information through external awareness-raising. of viral hepatitis and any partnered on a pilot project to provide partners can increase participation. future campaigns. hepatitis C tests to WHA members. FundHepa felt that the event's To reach the greatest number of The aim was to increase the scope success was due to it being in the As well as being in attendance at this people, you need to take the testing of screening campaigns and find the open and the interactions with people event, FundHepa conducted testing at to them and work at times that are "missing millions". FundHepa focused on the street, informing them about workplaces and universities. convenient for the group you on providing testing and raising hepatitis. The cascade effect of this are targeting. Read the full case study here.

30 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021 31 hep Voice

www.worldhepatitisalliance.org

32 hep Voice MARCH/APRIL 2021