Note from our CEO
The end of the year gives us the opportunity to pause and reflect
on all of our achievements over the past 12 months. For WHA,
this includes hosting the first NOhep village at the Global Hepatitis
Summit where we launched the NOhep Guide for Medical
Professionals, co-ordinating World Hepatitis Day under the Find
the Missing Millions theme and supporting countries to build the
financial case for the elimination of viral hepatitis.
This time of year is also a reminder of the progress that still needs
to be made to make elimination a reality. In 2018 1.4 million people
died of viral hepatitis, despite there being a vaccine and treatment
for hepatitis B and a cure for hepatitis C. 2019 is the last year
countries have to reach the 2020 interim targets set out by the
World Health Organization in the Global Health Sector Strategy on
Viral Hepatitis. We know that the majority of countries are likely to
miss these targets unless there is a concerted effort to change the
current outlook. WHA members will be playing a leading role in
advocating for governments to ensure action is taken and that no
one is left behind in the fight for elimination.
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Further, 2019 will be a year of change for the World Hepatitis
Alliance. We will have new members on the board, a new president
elect and, as many of you know, I will be stepping down as CEO after
being with the organisation since its inception in 2007. These are
big changes but with change comes the opportunity to explore new
ways of working with our members and partners to translate the
global commitment to hepatitis elimination to regional and national
action.
I am looking forward to this next chapter and to seeing WHA prosper
in its elimination vision.
Raquel Peck
Chief Executive Officer
Contents
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Stay connected
www.worldhepatitisalliance.org
4 Hep headlines [email protected]
5 For the diary www.facebook.com/worldhepalliance
Features
6 The Investment Case for
Hepatitis C Elimination in Nigeria
8 WHA Board Elections
10 WHA Welcomes New Members
12 Highlights from AASLD and WISH
14 Wall of Stories: Sylvster’s Story
15 Find the Missing Millions in Action
@Hep_Alliance
@worldhepatitisalliance
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The World Hepatitis Day 2018 Global
Summary report is out now.
The report features details of the
activities undertaken across the
world which can be used as a source of
inspiration when planning your
WHD2019 activities.
See the report at
www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/whd-2018-global-summary
2 hep Voice December 2018
hep Voice
November 2018 3