Officially registered in 2013, YOUTHAID-LIBERIA (YAL) is a locally led youth-focused non-governmental organisation established to address critical health challenges affecting young people and vulnerable populations in Liberia. Since its inception, YAL has been at the forefront of community health advocacy, education, and awareness campaigns targeting preventable diseases and health conditions that disproportionately affect underserved communities.
YAL specialises in grassroots mobilisation, peer-to-peer education, and community engagement strategies that leverage the energy and influence of young people to drive positive health outcomes. Since 2020, YAL has been engaged in advocacy for health system strengthening to increase community knowledge on Hepatitis, Malaria, HIV/AIDS and related public health challenges in Liberia.
Since 2020, YAL has routinely increased voices against Hepatitis Virus by strengthening blocks with stakeholders and communities in Liberia. Annually, YAL partners with the Ministry of Health, INGOs and local civil society organizations to commemorate National Hepatitis Day Programs across the Country.
Currently, YAL is implementing the NOhep Mums In-Country Programme in Liberia, with funding and technical from the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA). Under the theme “NOhep4BIGBELLY”, YAL is strengthening the skills of 25 health workers and caregivers at health facilities in Montserrado County. YAL is the Lead Convener of the Hepatitis Education Network, Liberia (HEN-L), a civil society consortium working together to increase citizens’ knowledge on Viral Hepatitis and advocate for testing and treatment among citizens across Liberia.
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