About the Hepatitis Foundation
The Hepatitis Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation, funded by the Ministry of Health, to provide care for people living with hepatitis B or C.
The Foundation provides national long-term follow-up programmes for people with chronic hepatitis B and C. We offer two programmes.
1. Hepatitis B Follow-up Programme – for people living with chronic hepatitis B.
2. Hepatitis C Standard Programme – for people living with chronic hepatitis C.
Mission
The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand aims to promote positive health outcomes to the people of New Zealand through education and research into viral hepatitis, and early detection and long-term follow-up of chronic hepatitis B and C.
History of the Foundation
The Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand has completed many major screening, vaccination and research programmes in New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Vietnam during the 30-year history.
In 1984, the newly established Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand, implemented the Kawerau Seroprevalence Study. They tested 93% of Kawerau’s population for hepatitis B. The results showed that the hepatitis B virus was highly endemic.
Nine years later, as a result of the Foundation’s work, New Zealand was the first sovereign nation to introduce universal hepatitis B vaccination for all children.
From 1999 to 2002 the largest national hepatitis B screening programme ever conducted took place in New Zealand. A total of 177,292 New Zealanders were screened with 11,936 people with chronic hepatitis B identified.
The start of the 21st century saw the establishment of the free national long-term follow-up programme at the Foundation. The programme continues today, successfully following up and monitoring over 16,000 people with chronic hepatitis B and over 1,500 people with chronic hepatitis C.
In 2012 the Hepatitis C Pilot was launched in the Bay of Plenty and greater Wellington area.
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