2026 Regional Board Members Have Been Appointed

Luis Mendao

Our members have spoken and the votes have been counted!

We are delighted to announce that, as of January 2026, Luis Mendao and Dr Riham Soliman have been elected to serve as the WHA regional board members for the EURO and EMRO regions respectively. We congratulate them both on their appointments and are looking forward to working with each of them over the coming years.

WHA’s board plays a vital role in our governance and gives crucial regional representation for our member organisations working with people and communities affected by viral hepatitis. The board also helps our members work together, both nationally and regionally, to give our activities greater cohesion and strength.

Every year, the fight against hepatitis becomes more urgent, so we are greatly looking forward to their insights and contributions.

Sign up to receive updates from WHA

Name(Required)
I would like to hear about(Required)

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices.

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