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JULY/AUGUST 2021: VOL 52 hepVoiceYour magazine from the World Alliance

New self-testing guidelines

Finding the missing millions in

World Hepatitis Day around the globe 1 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 Welcome to hepVoice Contents Stay connected

www.worldhepatitisalliance.org Wow... Regulars [email protected] What an incredible it was. I 4 hepHeadlines was so inspired by all the photos of activities taking www.facebook.com/worldhepalliance place around the world, raising awareness of and calling for action to tackle hepatitis 6 Advocacy dates @Hep_Alliance internationally. Features @worldhepatitisalliance In this edition of hepVoice, we highlight all the major announcements from the day and give a snapshot of 8 World Hepatitis Summit the global activity from across the globe. 10 WHO self- While World Hepatitis Day is the major day for testing guidelines hepatitis advocacy, we must keep the momentum Want to contribute? going to demonstrate to decision makers the need 12 N-HEP launch We welcome your contributions so Don’t for urgent action on hepatitis. The Hepatitis Can't please get in touch at miss out wait campaign will continue, utilising the message 14 World Hepatitis Day stats - receive to demonstrate the need for action. Watch this space [email protected] 16 WHA members shine on hepVoice for exciting updates to the campaign, which will be to have your news and stories straight coming soon. World Hepatitis Day included in future issues and feel free to share this magazine with to your 17 Monuments light for WHD inbox! I hope you enjoy this special edition and if you have your network. any news that you would like highlighted in a future 18 WHA President's message edition, then please do get in touch. 19 NOhep supporters celebrate World Hepatitis Day 20 WHA World Hepatitis Day updates Cary James, 21 WHA members honoured WHA Chief Executive as 2021 Hep Champions 28 Inspiration from around the world - Mongolia 30 Wall of stories: Danjuma Adda

2 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 3 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 and linkage to care, providing care close to challenges that prevent hepatitis C prevention and people’s homes and the launch of national infant in their communities, hepatitis programmes. . has improved access Read more here. headlines to hepatitis services by The report found that strengthening primary to launch self- seven of the 10 provinces health care. testing programme for hep are on track to meet the hepatitis C Hepatitis is regularly making the news. Here are a few Read more here. viral hepatitis elimination highlights from around the world. goals, with not enough MSF launches public data being available for health partnership to Controlling hepatitis B in immunisation programs. the COVID-19 vaccine the other three provinces. tackle hepatitis C Europe This will help countries programme as an In the report, ACA provides maintain or improve opportunity to rollout recommendations to close coverage hepatitis screenings. The any existing gaps.

and accelerate progress prevalence of hepatitis in Read more here. The Malaysian Health towards the regional goal. Niue was 1% and those Ministry is partnering with Read more here. that tested positive have to expand the Malaysian AIDS all been linked to care. hepatitis testing and Council, World Health Niue becomes the first Read more here. treatment country to screen its Médecins Sans Frontières Organization (WHO), the The Centers for entire population for viral Progress toward hepatitis (MSF) partnered with the Drugs for Neglected Control and Prevention hepatitis elimination in Drugs for Neglected initiative (DNDi) (CDC) published a progress Diseases initiative (DNDi), and FIND (the global report on hepatitis B FIND, the global alliance alliance for diagnostics) to control in the European for diagnostics and the launch a hepatitis C self- region of the World Health Treatment Action Group testing impact study in Organization (WHO). (TAG) to tackle disparities Malaysia. This will make Between 2016 and 2019, The Center for Disease in access to diagnostics Malaysia one of the first the region made Analysis Foundation (CDAF) and treatment for countries in the world to substantial progress has partnered with hepatitis C in low- and launch a programme of towards hepatitis B The Government of the Action Hepatitis Canada Uzbekistan’s Research middle-income countries, this kind. vaccination coverage island nation of Niue, in (ACA) has published a Institute of Virology and home to 75% of those (94%) and the universal the South Pacific Ocean, progress report on the Ministry of Health to living with hepatitis C. There are an estimated screening of pregnant has announced that it has hepatitis elimination in launch a pilot project to 400,000 people living with women (56%). screened 90% of its adult Canada, as a tool to hold train and empower The partnership, entitled hepatitis C in Malaysia, population for viral provinces and territories primary health care ‘Hepatitis C Partnership for with many of those The COVID-19 pandemic hepatitis. The screening is accountable to their professionals. This will Control and Treatment’, undiagnosed due to the has threatened progress part of the ‘Cure-a- hepatitis elimination lead to increased testing or ‘Hepatitis C PACT’, stigma attached to the by causing a disruption Country’ viral hepatitis promise. The report and the improved will foster an enabling virus. The government is to immunisation services. elimination programme, measures progress based management of environment for testing hoping that self-testing CDC recommends undertaken in on the presence of an viral hepatitis. and treatment through the will empower communities implementing regional collaboration with Global elimination plan, as well delivery of oral antiviral underserved by health guidance on interventions, Health . as annual hepatitis C The project, which treatment, the scaling up systems to learn their mitigating the impact treatment prescribing is in line with WHO community-based testing status. of COVID-19 on The government leveraged counts, hepatitis C testing recommendations on and addressing financial Read more here.

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

21 September Key advocacy dates International Day of Peace

Upcoming events and activities taking place in the Each year, the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 coming months. September. The 2021 theme is ‘Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world.’ People fleeing conflict often do not have access to healthcare facilities, making it difficult for them to access hepatitis testing and treatment. In addition, they lack safe food and water supplies and adequate sanitation, putting them at a 9-11 September higher risk of developing and E. People fleeing conflict situations must Conference on Liver Disease in Africa (COLDA) 2021 not be left behind in national hepatitis strategies, in order to achieve elimination Find out more here. COLDA 2021 aims to empower healthcare professionals to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure liver diseases in Africa. Together with support from an international community of experts, COLDA attendees will exchange knowledge on the latest 27 September - 1 October developments and achievements in the management of viral hepatitis and liver European Health Forum Gastein disease with a special focus on the African context. The European Health Forum Gastein (EFGH) conference is a key platform for health On the 8 September the will be hosting a pre-meeting at policy exchanges, bringing together stakeholders and COLDA in colloboration with NOhep and the London School of Hygine and Tropical decision-makers from the public and private sector, as well as civil society, science Medicine. The side event will highlight the stories of the people and communties and academia. EFGH 2021 will be held digitally, with the aim of conceptualising impacted by hepatitis and bring together medical professionals, policy makers and how we can rise from the COVID-19 crisis as more resilient, smarter and equitable civil society to discuss ways of overcoming the barriers to elimination in Africa. societies. Find out more here. Find out more here. 24–26 October 17-26 September World Health Summit 2021 Global Goals Week Every October, the World Health Summit brings together international experts from The countries of the United Nations made a universal promise to “leave no one academia, politics, the private sector and civil society to discuss and find solutions behind” when it comes to achieving a peaceful and prosperous world by 2030. to global health challenges, whilst setting an agenda for a healthier future. Global Goals Week is a shared commitment between partners across civil society, This year's World Health Summit will bring business, academia and the UN system to accelerate action towards the Sustainable together 300 speakers and 6,000 participants Development Goals (SDGs). It is also an opportunity for the hepatitis community from 100 countries to a ‘hybrid’ on-site to speak out about the limited action that has been taken towards combating conference in Berlin, with full digital access. hepatitis, as outlined in SDG 3. Find out more here. Find out more here. Find out more here.

6 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 7 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 The World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) is pleased to announce that the World Hepatitis Summit (WHS) will return in 2022 with a hybrid meeting. This will combine an in-person event for those able to attend along with a virtual option for those unable to travel. The three-day summit will take place in Bangkok, , from June 8-10, with a one-day pre- conference meeting exclusively for WHA members held on 7 June. With COVID-19 BANGKOK, THAILAND The WHS is the only global hepatitis conference resulting in radical focused on and hepatitis elimination. JUNE 8-10 2022 disruption to health systems The summit in 2022, co-sponsored by the World and the global health agenda Health Organization (WHO) and organised by increasingly focussing on Universal WHA, will bring together the international hepatitis Health Coverage (UHC), WHS community for an unrivalled opportunity to focus 2022 will explore the challenges and on implementing the viral hepatitis response. By opportunities for hepatitis programmes A turning point in bringing together civil society and community within these evolving health systems. the global response organisations, people with lived experience and to viral hepatitis. the affected community, health ministers, clinicians and programme managers, WHS 2022 will drive Cary James, WHA CEO progress to make the elimination of viral hepatitis by An inspiring 2030 a reality. high-level summit that also served as an excellent WHS 2022 will be the third World Hepatitis Summit; preceding summits were WHS 2015 held in Glasgow, networking event. Scotland and WHS 2017 held in São Paolo, . Previous summits were landmark events in the global hepatitis response. The theme will be "Achieving The Elimination Of Viral Hepatitis Within Evolving Health Systems". Countries will have reported against the 2020 targets and with less than 10 years to go until the 2030 targets, it is likely that most countries will need to accelerate their efforts in addressing hepatitis A, B, C, D and E across the cascade of care. Further, these discussions will need to be had within the framework of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the reshaping of health systems amidst the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure a response which is integrated and sustainable.

WHS 2022 will accelerate progress towards hepatitis elimination in the face of COVID-19. With less than a decade to go to reach the 2030 elimination targets, it has never been more important to bring the hepatitis community together again.

Registration and calls for abstracts will open soon

For more information, including sponsorship packages, and to register your interest please visit www.worldhepatitissummit.org

8 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 9 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 "Every year, nearly 300,000 people "90% of people living lose their lives to this preventable and curable disease. Scaling up diagnosis with hepatitis C need rates through methods like self-testing to be aware of their is crucial to eliminating hepatitis as a World Health public health threat by 2030. status in order to Self-testing is an immensely valuable tool to help increase diagnosis rates Organization releases achieve hepatitis in communities with poor access to health services. In addition, it will help elimination." communities underserved by health first guidelines on systems to learn their status without the As set out in Global health sector fear of discrimination. Our members and strategy on viral hepatitis (2016–2021), other civil society organisations have a hepatitis C self-testing 90% of people living with hepatitis C key role to play in administering self- need to be aware of their status in order testing, to help find the more than 45 to achieve hepatitis elimination. Self- million people who are unaware they are testing is a way to reach people who may living with hepatitis C.." not otherwise be able or willing to test. The World Health COVID-19 pandemic, WHO hopes that Read the full guidance. the guidelines will help bridge the gap in On the release of the new guidelines, Organization (WHO) released hepatitis C diagnostics and help find ‘the WHA CEO, Cary James said: its first recommendations missing millions’ who are unaware they and guidance on hepatitis C are living with hepatitis C. self-testing. The aim of the guidance is to complement The guidelines are primarily aimed at policy makers, government agencies and the existing testing services in those health care providers responsible a country and to support the for planning and implementing viral scale up of hepatitis C self- hepatitis testing, prevention, care and treatment services, particularly those in testing to help reach the 2030 low- and middle-income countries. elimination targets. The guidelines may be used by other bodies working with key populations The WHO estimates that less than 21% of and affected communities, such as the 58 million people living with hepatitis international organisations and civil C globally know their status. Stigma society. The WHO recommends developing and discrimination associated with the new national policies and regulations condition, as well as a lack of awareness to remove legal barriers to self-testing, and access to testing are just some of the whilst supporting the availability of barriers to hepatitis C testing worldwide. quality testing kits at affordable prices. Building from the knowledge gained about the value of self-testing during the

10 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 11 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 "Governments can't wait and must act now to make New initiative launched to hepatitis elimination a reality. The N-HEP Initiative develop National Hepatitis is a great step towards a world with NOhep." Elimination Profiles for Dr. Su Wang President, World Hepatitis Alliance 30 countries

On World Hepatitis Day 2021, the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination launched N-HEP, a new initiative to develop National Hepatitis Elimination Profiles for 30 countries. The profiles serve as a tool to advocate for the next steps to be taken, leading towards hepatitis elimination in-county.

Developed in collaboration with local coverage, access to affordable therapies partners, these comprehensive profiles and updates on the progress being made bring together data on the burden of viral towards hepatitis elimination goals for hepatitis in each of these countries. They over 190 countries. The profiles take also reveal how the national hepatitis this data further, by working with local programme is being delivered and what partners to collect additional information their key policies are. The profiles list and translate it into advocacy tools for advances made towards elimination policy development and the mobilisation locally, the key challenges they are of resources. This in turn means greater currently facing and future considerations commitments can be made towards the for each county. The objective of N-HEP 2030 elimination goals. is to bring together key data in order to The profiles build upon assess the status of a country’s hepatitis To kick-off the initiative, the coalition elimination efforts. The initiative also released profiles for six countries in the Coalition for Global assesses what progress is being made WHO Region of the Americas, including Hepatitis Elimination data towards program targets and health Argentina, Brazil, Canada, , Peru dashboards for outcome goals, whilst also highlighting and the . N-HEP will release all of the achievements, challenges, and profiles for at least another 25 countries feasible next steps. by early next year.

The profiles build upon the Coalition Read more 190 for Global Hepatitis Elimination data dashboards, which provide vaccination countries 12 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 13 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 TOGETHER WE MADE WORLD HEPATITIS DAY A GLOBAL SUCCESS!

‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ #WorldHepatitisDay gained over materials were downoaded 500 MILLION 30,000 Twitter impressions times

Hepatitis Can’t Wait WHA global virtual relay videos generated over passed through 350,000 40 COUNTRIES views across social media platforms spanning every time zone

14 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 15 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 WHA MEMBERS SHINE ON MONUMENTS LIGHT UP WORLD HEPATITIS DAY TO RAISE AWARENESS OF

Every year WHA members around the world found new and creative ways VIRAL HEPATITIS to raise awareness of viral hepatitis on World Hepatitis Day. United under Monuments all over the world were lit up green, purple or yellow to mark the ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait’ theme, they showed their dedication to achieving World Hepatitis Day. What a great way to raise awareness and to grab eliminating by 2030. people’s attention.

Egypt Canada United States

United Kingdom North Macedonia Philliphines Australia

Nigeria Tanzania Turkey 16 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 17 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 WHA PRESIDENT'S Hundreds of NOhep supporters joined in to let the world know WORLD HEPATITIS DAY that Hepatitis Can’t Wait! MESSAGE

Throughout my We cannot give the next generation an epidemic we own journey of could’ve prevented. Now is the time for the hepatitis finding out in community to speak in one voice and tell the world college I have that hepatitis can't wait. hepatitis B. Pursuing my studies to be a physician. Caring for people with hepatitis. Coming out about my own We are being diagnosis and now, " speaking out for those living with hepatitis around the world - I continue to be shocked by the lack of told that our action in the fight against hepatitis.

There are more than 350 million people living with viral hepatitis. One of us dies every 30 seconds as a lives aren’t consequence of hepatitis. The lack of commitment and financial support from national governments, global donors, development funds, policy makers, worth saving. research and healthcare institutions tells us that they have accepted these deaths which could’ve been We will no longer accept the excuses that have been given by governments and global funders who are " avoided. turning a blind eye to the millions of deaths each We are being told that our lives aren’t worth saving. year and the continued suffering of communities We can't wait any longer for action and it’s time for across the world. things to change. This World Hepatitis Day 2021 must be a catalyst for The opportunity to eliminate a disease as a public global action, we need to grow the momentum and health threat is rare. But for viral hepatitis, it is within we must eliminate hepatitis. Hepatitis Can't Wait. our grasp. With the vaccine and treatments against hepatitis B and the cure for hepatitis C, we eliminate hepatitis by 2030. We must work together and Dr. Su Wang This World Hepatitis Day, NOhep supporters from across the President, World Hepatitis Alliance ensure no one is left behind. planet took photos of themselves pointing at a clock or watch The 350 million people living with hepatitis can't Read Dr. Wang’s full message here. to let the world know that ‘Hepatitis Can’t Wait.’ Thanks to their keep waiting. The 290 million who are yet to be efforts the NOhep message reached 32 million people globally, diagnosed can’t keep waiting to be tested and linked to care. Those who need treatment can’t keep sharing lifesaving information about viral hepatitis! waiting for access to life saving treatment while their risk of liver cancer increases by the day.

18 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 19 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 CATCH-UP ON WHA MEMBERS HONOURED WORLD HEPATITIS DAY AS 2021 HEP CHAMPIONS

The Coalition for Global Hepatitis Arafat Bwambale Elimination announced their 2021 Arafat Bwambale from the The reality is that the world’s poorest communities are left to carry the most Hep Champions, who come from Ugandan Great Lakes significant burden of hepatitis, and we, as a global community, are allowing Bangladesh, , Mexico, Scotland, Peace Centre (GLPC) the long shadow of hepatitis to be cast on the future of all their newborns. Uganda, and the United States. The received the award for his " community work. Arafat six winners were chosen for their co-founded the GLPC, a Read the blog the WHA President, Dr Su Wang, wrote for the Union for contributions to expanding access to grass roots youth-led International Cancer Control (UICC). hepatitis prevention, testing and organisation in Kasese, " treatment, as well as their ongoing Rwenzori Sub-Region in Western Uganda. The commitment to hepatitis elimination. organisation focuses on combating stigma Each year, the Coalition for Global Hepatitis surrounding viral hepatitis and advocates for birth We can no longer wait to act on hepatitis. People are dying because they Elimination honours leaders in the field of hepatitis dose vaccinations. Arafat also serves as the focal did not receive simple interventions. who have gone above and beyond to ensure the person for hepatitis B at Bwera General Hospital, promise of hepatitis elimination in their communities supporting hospital-based awareness efforts and " by giving them the title of Hep Champions. This year, running a hepatitis B patient support group. Read the Lancet article by WHA highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on Read his full profile here. hepatitis services and civil society organisations. three out of six champions honoured are members of WHA, with two of them also being NOhep Medical " Visionaries. Dr. Mohammad Ali How many more children need to have their lives cut short before a low- Dr. Gamal Shiha cost vaccine is provided to all newborns? How many more people must die Dr. Gamal Shiha, from the from liver cancer before hepatitis treatments are made accessible for all? Egyptian Liver Research Dr. Mohammad Ali, from " Institute and Hospital the National Liver received the title for his Foundation of Bangladesh, Read the blog WHA President, Su Wang, wrote for the work towards the is not only a Hep World Economic Forum. elimination of hepatitis C Champion, but a " in Egypt. Dr. Shiha champion of liver diseases founded the Egyptian Liver in Bangladesh. His work Research Institute and includes the founding of Hospital which treats over the National Liver I am so relieved that my four children are free of the . They will 50,000 liver patients annually. He also developed a Foundation of Bangladesh, a philanthropic not have the lifelong struggle of getting hepatitis care and worrying about community-based hepatitis C testing and treatment organisation dedicated to prevention, treatment, spreading the infection or developing liver cancer or cirrhosis. But millions model, which has been implemented in 100 villages. education and research on liver diseases in "of mothers cannot say the same. Since then, 250,000 villagers have been screened Bangladesh. He also initiated the first successful for hepatitis C and B, and 16,500 of those who liver transplant in Bangladesh. As a NOhep Medical tested positive have received free treatment. Read Visionary, he has been a national leader in the Watch WHA President, Su Wang, make a powerful intervention at the his full profile here. organisation of screening and treatment campaigns, as well as raising awareness and advocating for WHO high-level global talk show. " improved policies. Read his full profile here.

20 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 21 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 WATCH WHA GLOBAL VIRTUAL RELAY Thank you to World Hepatitis Alliance members, international organisations, policymakers and stakeholders from all over the world united once more to take part in the World Hepatitis Day virtual global relay! From New Zealand to Hawaii, people from 40 countries and across all time zones shone a spotlight on the worldwide global community fighting for hepatitis elimination. everyone who took part in WHA activities this World Hepatitis Day!

WORLD HEPATITIS DAY WEBINAR SERIES In July 2021, WHA hosted a series of roundtable discussions focusing on some of the key topics surrounding hepatitis elimination. The webinars saw people living with hepatitis, as well as healthcare professionals, policy makers, hepatitis advocates and other key experts in the field, discuss the various issues, challenges and next steps. Catch-up on the webinars at worldhepatitisalliance.org or by clicking on the images below.

[email protected] #HepCantWait

22 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 23 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 Inspiration from around the world

International to lead “Hepatitis Free Mongolia, Phase 1,” with support from Top tips for success Saga University in and Gilead Sciences. Implementing projects within existing government systems and WHO Inspiration from guidelines is essential for sustainability and replicability. Seek comprehensive solutions to solve the problem. We almost never around the implement a programme the same way twice. We constantly evaluate and review our projects and make necessary adjustments to improve the impact world - Mongolia and efficiency with new, innovative approaches for the next implementation.

Through the Find the Missing The hepatitis coordinators distribute and because they work directly with the Millions campaign, we are share information about the healthy community, visiting families and homes. liver programme and viral hepatitis They are essential in reaching the most highlighting inspiring work testing. They also educate community remote, hard to find individuals and from around the world. This members one-on-one, and person-to- they know the community better than month we hear from Flagstaff person, directing them to receive the anyone else. necessary testing and treatments while International Relief Effort they are also conducting their everyday Following the success of Phase 1, FIRE (FIRE), a non-government duties. and Rotary International partnered once again with Saga University to organisation helping In “Hepatitis Free Mongolia, Phase 1” launch “Hepatitis Free Mongolia, Mongolia to achieve hepatitis they worked to support Mongolia’s Phase 2” in Sukhbaatar province. They national “Healthy Liver Program” by elimination. expanded the hepatitis coordinator expanding Saga University’s 'Hepatitis programme to include the development Coordinator' programme and organising By Meredith Potts, FIRE Executive Director of a mobile app that allows the Mongolia’s first training for hepatitis hepatitis coordinators to manage their coordinators in the Töv and Dornod patients, and for them to manage FIRE has been working with the provinces. Ulaanbaatar Rotary Club (representing the hepatitis coordinators. They are also supplementing the salary for the Rotary International) on hepatitis and health safety programmes since 2009. hepatitis coordinators, providing more Recently they have partnered with Rotary extensive training and educational materials as well as detailed job expectations. They anticipate these Achievements to date modifications will help to successfully eliminate hepatitis C virus in Sukhbaatar • Distributed 78,500 pieces of community awareness materials province in 2022.

• Vaccinated 3,022 persons In both provinces, they worked closely Read the full case study here. with the Governor’s office and the • Trained 3,571 health care workers provincial health department to organise the training and identify the • Developed a new Hepatitis Coordinator position, training programme and a best candidates for participation. They mobile app. focused primarily on government social workers and health care workers

24 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 25 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 Wall of Stories: Danjuma Adda

Together, our stories can The first challenge I faced after treatment and I had to save up my being diagnosed with hepatitis B was monthly salary to pay for it. During this change the way the world disclosing my status. At this time, I had whole time, I faced the traumatic fear of sees viral hepatitis. just met my now wife and I was living not knowing what was going to happen with the fear of stigmatisation, rejection to me tomorrow because I was living with Each month we share the story of and discrimination. All this trauma a virus that has the potential to end my someone whose life has been affected by and fear made me worried about life. viral hepatitis. This month, we share the transmitting hepatitis B to my wife story of WHA President-elect Danjuma once we were married. I even wondered Hepatitis doesn’t show symptoms, so Adda from Nigeria. whether I would be able to have children people go about living their normal life due to my hepatitis status. without seeking a test and not knowing that they are living with a deadly virus. I would touch my liver first thing every In addition, people associate hepatitis morning when I woke up. I looked in the symptoms like a swollen abdomen with mirror and kept asking myself “does this witchcraft, which further deters them until 15 years later and by that time mean I’m going to die soon?” People from getting tested. she was already living with liver cancer. around me believed that hepatitis is Even when diagnosed, many people are transmitted through casual contact unable to afford expensive out-of-pocket like shaking hands, so I lived in fear of treatments, because they are not covered passing the virus onto others. "It is important that by health insurance. In communities where people are wondering how they our stories are heard are going to afford their next meal, the "I faced traumatic fear and that people price of treatment is too high. understand that I now work as an advocate for my of not knowing what community in Nigeria and around the is going to happen to hepatitis can’t wait rest of the world. It is important that our stories are heard, and that people me tomorrow because action to eliminate this understand that hepatitis can’t wait. disease is needed now." Action to eliminate this disease is needed I am living with a virus n o w.” that has the potential Unfortunately, when my mother started Listen to Danjuma tell his story to BBC to end my life." showing symptoms of hepatitis C, not Africa. even the healthcare professionals in the I couldn’t afford the diagnostics hospital took them seriously and kept needed to find out whether I needed sending her home. She wasn’t diagnosed

See more stories and submit your own at: 26 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 27 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021 www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/wall-stories hep Voice

www.worldhepatitisalliance.org

28 hep Voice JULY/AUGUST 2021