Community Mental Health and Development Initiative was officially registered in January 2020. The organisation is involved in viral hepatitis testing and linking the patients/clients to care, assessed viral hepatitis related patients, diagnosed and treat psychological dysfunction and behavioural problems related to physical and mental health of a viral hepatitis patients, improving patients’ and non-patients’ quality of life. They conduct psycho-education sessions on individuals/people infected and affected by viral hepatitis. They also conducted trainings, workshops, seminars, advocacy, dialogue and sensitization for over 614 Peace Corps Personnel on positive communication on viral hepatitis, care/treatment innovations based on WHA/WHO policies. Successfully introduced and started psychotherapy sessions for tested viral hepatitis clients with the use of psychological instruments as a clinical psychologist in the assessment of patients. Organised several workshops/seminars for members of staff and patients on interpersonal relationship, motivation on treatment compliance, viral hepatitis related stress management and stigmatization, how to manage infected viral hepatitis anxiety and how to avoid depression and suicide.
Partnership: They partner with the government via ministry of health, youths and sports, other community based organisations, NGO’s such as CFID-with Dr. Danjuma Adda as the executive director In creating awareness, advocacy visits, testing, vaccines and link to care for viral hepatitis B and C. patients.
Support group: They created 6 different support groups comprising of 796 adolescents youths and 630 adults in providing psycho-social support, psycho-education, creating awareness and compliance for testing, vaccines and treatment, mental health services for positive hepatitis B and C clients.
World Hepatitis Day 2024 – It’s time for action. World Hepatitis Day, observed on 28 July 2024 theme is: It’s time for action. They engaged trained nurses, midwifes and community health workers for community-based testing of 690 persons for viral hepatitis B and C. 400 persons (260 were females and 140 males) were vaccinated for hepatitis B while 290 (185 females and 105 males) were link to care.
African Hepatitis Summit 2023 – They participated in the advocacy to the community leaders, youths, religious and traditional leaders. We carried out a viral hepatitis B and C community project research work on `attitude, stigmatization and health seeking behaviour towards vaccination.
Hepatitis and PWID/harm reduction
11:35 – 11:40
Chair: WHO – Intro and set the scene.
11:40 – 11:55
Co-chair: EMCDDA – Monitoring viral hepatitis elimination among PWID in Europe.
11:55 – 12:00
ID 29: Ema Pos (not yet registered)
Title: If the mountain won’t come to Mohammed: lessons from a decentralized Infectious Disease consultation.
12:05 – 12:10
ID 152: Brian Conway (Registered in person)
Title: Community Pop-up Clinic: Cascade of Care and HCV Treatment of Vancouver’s inner-city PWID Populations.
12:10 – 12:15
ID 212: Jasmine West (not yet registered)
Title: From lived experience to lived expertise: a syndemic approach.
12:15 – 12:20
ID: 299 Mercy Nyakowa (Registered in person)
Title: HCV and HBV prevalence and associated risk factors among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Kenya
12:20 – 12:25
ID: 133 Nalinikanta Rajkumar (Registered in person)
Title: Rapid regimen of HBV vaccination: Does it work for high risk groups?
12:25 – 12:30
Q&A and closing remarks
tHIS
IS
BEN’S
BIG
TEST
effective case finding strategies
Supported by Vir Biotechnology, Inc
During this session you will hear from hepatitis Delta expert, Dr. Maria Buti, and a patient who has lived with hepatitis Delta in a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Carey Hwang, Chief Medical Officer (interim) of Vir Biotechnology. This panel will inform perspectives on patient needs, opportunities for enhanced screening, and strengthening linkages to care.
Session Agenda
14:40 – 14:45
Panel overview and introductions facilitated by Dr Carey Hwang (Vir Biotechnology)
14:45 – 15:05
Panel discussion: Dr Maria Buti (University Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Spain), Milanka Barbosa, Dr Carey Hwang (Chief Medical Officer interim), Vir Biotechnology
15:05 – 15:10
Final remarks and close