hepVoice Vol 31 December 2018 | Page 10

WHA has recently welcomed seven new members to the organisation which now represents 266 members across 89 countries. Family Health Association - Iran The Family Health Association is a full member of International Planned Parenthood Federation and also benefits from special consultative status in the UN-ECOSOC. For the past two years they have held hepatitis screenings that are mostly aimed at high risk women in the poorest neighbourhood of Tehran. With the help of donors and medical facilities, they also assist in getting people access to treatment. They undertake advocacy programs to educate local communities and engage authorities and other NGOs to tackle the problem. Positive People Armenian Network - Armenia WHA’s first member from Armenia. Whilst hepatitis is not Positive People Armenian Network’s (PPAN) main focus, it features prominently in their mission and vision. The organisation’s goals are to improve the quality of life of people living with hepatitis, combatting stigma and discrimination and preventing the spread of the disease. PPAN participated in World Hepatitis Day and promoted NOhep on the streets. They implemented the first Armenian testing week for hepatitis in 2017, where free and anonymous testing took place in several major cities. PPAN also carries out advocacy and policy activities, raising the importance of ensuring hepatitis C treatment is accessible and affordable to all. PPAN was one of the NGOs that were invited to a round-table discussion with the Ministry of Health to discuss the first National Hepatitis prevention and treatment plan/guidelines in Armenia. Drive For Health Foundation - Ghana Although hepatitis is not the primary focus of the organisation, Drive for Health Foundation are involved in counselling, advocacy, screenings and vaccinations for hepatitis. In the last couple of years they have celebrated World Hepatitis Day by conducting educational campaigns and screenings. They currently provide the hepatitis B birth dose free of charge to all babies born at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. They actively engage with the Ministry Of Health and other bodies for the inclusion of hepatitis B screenings and vaccinations to be included in the National Health Insurance Scheme. 10 hep Voice December 2018 People’s Development Forum - Tanzania WHA’S first member in Tanzania, the People’s Development Forum work to promote improved health services in Tanzania. The organisations primary work focuses on HIV counselling and testing but they encounter hepatitis in their day- to-day activities as a result. They are in the process of spearheading movements to fight hepatitis at the national level and aim to reduce stigmatisation. The process of this includes the formation of a National Level Task Force. Their activities have evolved to include access to care and treatment in accordance with universal health coverage. They also advocate for budget allocation to be directed towards viral hepatitis services. Malady Chase Foundation – Nigeria Malady Chase Foundation works in the area of health and child education with a focus on the fight against viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. Awareness-raising in the state and in local communities, advocacy work and free screenings for hepatitis B and C feature prominently in their programmes. They also work with patients and health services to provide referrals and treatment plans. Hope For Healthy Life Foundation - Nigeria The main objective of Hope for Healthy Life Foundation is to create a healthy society free from hepatitis and related deaths. The organisation aims to help individuals to access hepatitis services in an easy and affordable manner. The organisation is a registered body with the Federal government of Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs commission, and the State registration body, Ministry of Youths and Social development. hepatitis c cured patient association - georgia Hepatitis C Cured Patient Association is an organisation headed up entirely of patients. It was created as an outcome of the Georgia Technical Advisory Group meeting in 2017 with the mission to promote the successful implementation of a hepatitis C elimination programme in Georgia. To achieve this they raise awareness of viral hepatitis and look to reduce the stigma and discrimination related to it. The organisation’s activities range from forming advocacy groups to cooperating with governmental and non-governmental organisations. They have regular regional meetings and often feature on Georgian TV shows. hep Voice November 2018 11