Humanity for Orphans, Youth and Widows Initiatives Kenya (HOYWIK) is a non-profit organization founded in 1998, focused on empowering vulnerable groups in Kenya through education, healthcare, and skills training. Operating in Nairobi and Homa Bay, they support children, youth (0-25), and widows by addressing poverty and promoting sustainable community development.
The organisation is actively engaged in the prevention and control of viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B, among vulnerable and underserved communities in Kenya. HOYWIK implements community-centred, evidence-based interventions that strengthen early prevention, improve access to services, and support national hepatitis elimination goals.
Key viral hepatitis activities include:
Community Awareness and Education
HOYWIK conducts targeted community sensitisation sessions in informal settlements and rural areas to increase knowledge of viral hepatitis transmission, prevention, testing, and treatment, with a particular focus on pregnant women, young people, and caregivers.
Advocacy for the Hepatitis B Birth Dose (HepB-BD)
In collaboration with county health departments and national stakeholders, HOYWIK advocates for the integration of the HepB-BD into routine immunisation workplans to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Screening and Referral Services
The organisation supports community-based hepatitis B screening outreaches and links individuals who test positive to nearby health facilities for confirmatory testing, vaccination, and treatment follow-up.
Health Worker and Community Volunteer Capacity Building
HOYWIK trains community health promoters and volunteers on viral hepatitis prevention, referral pathways, stigma reduction, and accurate health messaging.
Policy and Stakeholder Engagement
HOYWIK convenes and participates in stakeholder forums with the Ministry of Health, county governments, civil society organisations, and networks to strengthen coordination, data use, and resource mobilisation for the hepatitis response.
Integration with Maternal, Child, and Community Health Programmes
Viral hepatitis interventions are integrated into HOYWIK’s broader health programming, including maternal and child health, nutrition support, and community outreach services, to ensure sustainability and wider reach.
Through these activities, HOYWIK contributes to reducing new hepatitis infections, improving early detection, and supporting Kenya’s commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat.
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
