Eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030 – Hepatitis Online Series during WHA74
Dates: 26 May 2021
On the sidelines of the seventy-fourth World Health Assembly, the Hepatitis Online Series are three one-hour live sessions bringing together key contributions in the hepatitis space from which to learn from. Building on experiences and lessons learned from countries and stakeholders, this series aims to explore considerations for stakeholders to learn from as they continue to elaborate and implement future policies on viral hepatitis.
At the 2016 World Health Assembly, Member States of the World Health Organization adopted the Global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis 2016-2021 (GHSSVH). This strategy sets the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030, linking this objective to targets: (1) reduce the number of deaths by 65%, (2) reduce the number of new infections by 90%, and (3) increase treatment rates of diagnosed individuals to 80%. As the five-year strategy comes to a term, it is now time to evaluate our progress towards elimination and to take stock of lessons learned over the past half-decade.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected HCV programme responses, forcing us to adapt. We cannot take past gains for granted, nor can we afford a complacent attitude and assume that the pre-COVID-19 momentum will automatically return. Fortunately, we approach the next decade with a wealth of knowledge and tools to reach the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030:
- Many countries have already made good progress in the fight against hepatitis that we can learn from.
- New treatment tools make it easier to implement hepatitis C responses and maximise the impact of the WHO guidelines, such as simplified diagnostics and availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for treatment.
- Funding that has been so scarce can be found through multi-stakeholder partnerships, and prompt diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis generates huge savings to countries.
- Successful country plans always include community-based organisations in the design and implementation of national hepatitis response.
Session #1: 10 years left to eliminate viral hepatitis – what now, what next for uptake in hepatitis C treatment in low- and middle-income countries?
Wednesday 26 May, 13.00-14.00 CET
The World Health Organization (WHO), Unitaid and the Medicines Patent Pool are hosting a session focusing on access to hepatitis C treatment in low- and middle-income countries and exploring insights into key aspects of successful plans from countries and partners for tackling viral hepatitis.
Click below to access the full agenda
Session #2: Financing the elimination of viral hepatitis
Thursday 27 May, 13.00-14.00 CET
The Hepatitis Fund and the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with WHO, are delighted to invite you to participate in an online event focused on financing the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
Session #3: The essential role of community-government collaboration in hepatitis C responses
Friday 28 May, 13.00-14.00 CET
During this session hosted by Coalition Plus and Unitaid, community and government representatives will present examples of the impact of community-government synergies in HCV responses.
Link to webinar (no registration needed)
