World Day Campaign in Rwanda

In July 2016, Rwanda became one the first countries in the region to launch a national control programme. To date, only a few countries have established a national strategy to address the growing burden of viral hepatitis.

As part of the celebration of the World Hepatitis Day (WHD) this year, the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Center have planned a series of activities for raising awareness, prevention, access to testing, treatment, and care. These activities started on June 5th in Muhanga district where 15,000 were vaccinated against and 7,600 people were screened for Hepatitis B and C. This activity will continue with other districts across the country for 2 months, ending with the observance of World Hepatitis Day on 28th July 2017 in Rubavu District.

© Rwanda Biomedical Center 2016 A walk organized to raise awareness during World Hepatitis Day campaign in 2016

© Rwanda Biomedical Center 2016 Screening and vaccination activities during World Hepatitis Day campaign in 2016

In line with the campaign, here are 4 facts about hepatitis:

• There are five hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D and E) with hepatitis B and C representing the largest disease burden— affecting more than 300 million people

A major goal of the hepatitis campaign is the massive scale-up in access to preventive, diagnostic, treatment and care services of hepatis B and C. The campaign mobilizes national and international stakeholders (UNAIDS, Gilead, WHO, CHAI, BMS) to strengthen the national hepatitis response.

• Early diagnosis of hepatitis is critical for effective treatment and care. Most people, however, do not know their hepatitis status. In many countries, transmission of hepatitis B and C occurs particularly among people at risk of blood infection, needle injuries, and people living with HIV. The current campaign in Rwanda is aiming to reach those populations most affected, with screening provided for people aged 45 years and above, health care workers, medical and nursing students, prisoners, other high-risk groups.

• Effective treatment is available for . The campaign offers treatment for hepatitis C, including among people co-infected with HIV.

• Hepatitis B is a vaccine preventable disease. A priority activity during the campaign is to offer vaccines for free to adults above 15 years, with a targeted number of 400,000 vaccines to be provided.

The national viral hepatitis control programme in Rwanda was designed to contribute to the attainment of the global target to eliminate hepatitis B and C by 2030. The World Hepatitis Day (WHD) campaign provides an opportunity to raise awareness and expand coverage in the hepatitis response across the country.