Viral Hepatitis Elimination Efforts In Eastern Europe And Central Asia (EECA) – Results From A Joint Evaluation Workshop

  • Ida Sperle (Speaker)
  • Isajeva, L. (Co-author)
  • Michael Brandl (Co-author)
  • Olena Kysil (Co-author)
  • Anastassiya Stepanovich (Co-author)
  • Olena Nesterova (Co-author)
  • Valeriia Hrytsenko (Co-author)
  • Zuridin Nurmatov (Co-author)
  • Gulsunai Sattarova (Co-author)
  • Gulnara Zhumagulova (Co-author)
  • Aibek Bekbolotov (Co-author)
  • Zarina Nurpeiishova (Co-author)
  • Shakhlo Sadirova (Co-author)
  • Shokhista R. Bakieva (Co-author)
  • Krestina Brigida (Co-author)
  • Maia Tsereteli (Co-author)
  • Irinka Tskhomelidze (Co-author)
  • Marcelo Naveira (Co-author)
  • Nicole Seguy (Co-author)
  • Viviane Bremer (Co-author)
  • Dudareva, S. (Co-author)

Activity: Talk or presentation types › Poster presentation

Description

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined ambitious targets for eliminating viral hepatitis (VH) as a public health threat by 2030. COVIMPACT Hepatitis (2021-2023) set out to assess the impact of COVID-19 on VH elimination in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA). At the end of the project, a workshop brought together all country partners to exchange lessons learned and ideas on how to scale-up elimination efforts in countries of EECA.

Purpose: The aim of the workshop was to discuss and evaluate ways to scale-up the efforts needed to reach VH elimination targets in the context of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The workshop took place in Berlin, Germany, from 17 to 21 October 2022. The participants were divided into three groups and discussed in four exercises which targets are most important, most difficult, and most realistic to achieve and ranked them using the online tools “Mentimeter” and “Miro”. Groups also identified most important
interventions that are needed to reach these targets.

Results: Stakeholders from Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan took part. The targets identified as most important were VH diagnosis and hepatitis B vaccination. Provision of harm reduction services was listed as least important (Table 1). Hepatitis B vaccination was considered the easiest to reach target. Participants considered reduction of mortality as both the most difficult and least realistic target to reach. The two most realistic targets were hepatitis B vaccination and blood safety. Most important interventions needed to reach the targets were improved testing coverage,
better linkage to care and free of cost treatment, awareness-raising and capacity building.

Conclusions: With less than 10 years to go to reach the WHO targets, gathering partners for discussions and exchange of lessons learned is pivotal. The workshop facilitated an increased understanding of why there is less progress on some targets and which efforts can help to close gaps towards elimination by 2030.
Period25 Apr 2023 → 28 Apr 2023
Event titleGlobal Hepatitis Summit 2023: the 18th International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease (ISVHLD)
Event typeSymposium
LocationParis, FranceShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational