Viral hepatitis remains a pressing concern, causing more than 125,000 deaths annually in Africa alone, despite the existence of effective treatments and a vaccine for hepatitis B. It is alarming that in Africa, over 70% of people living with viral hepatitis they do not know their condition and more than 90% lack the necessary care. To address this, the Global Hepatitis Alliance in collaboration with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and other committed partners, organized the 3rd Africa Hepatitis Summit 2023 hosted by the Federal Government of Nigeria in Abuja from the 24thu until 26u October 2023. The summit aimed to secure commitment from government leaders, the private sector and civil society. Working under the theme “Africa on track to eliminate viral hepatitis”, the session explored local funding opportunities, integrated strategies to eliminate hepatitis B and C and progress made towards the African Union Cairo Declaration on Viral Hepatitis.
The role of Africa CDC
CDC Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to alleviate the burden of viral hepatitis through the Continental Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Control Program. This initiative includes a multifaceted approach that focuses on strengthening health systems, improving access to diagnosis and treatment, improving surveillance strategies to improve understanding of disease burden to prioritize prevention intervention, developing workforce health care capacity and scaling up the introduction and coverage of timely administration of hepatitis B vaccine birth dose. Through collaborative dialogue and leveraging collective expertise in sharing best practices, Africa CDC aims to strengthen support to Member States to eliminate viral hepatitis. For example, in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, the Africa CDC has established a South-South experiential exchange training program with the aim of replicating Egypt’s successful model of viral hepatitis C elimination in other African member states. Union. The 2023 African Hepatitis Summit provided Egypt with a platform to share experiences that could be replicated by experts from other member states. As highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, global health is based on collective efforts, emphasizing the interconnection between the health and well-being of nations. The Africa CDC emphasizes that the elimination of viral hepatitis is both a goal and an imperative to be achieved through solidarity among member states in the fight against hepatitis.
The summit resulted in critical recommendations aimed at accelerating Africa’s commitment to eliminating hepatitis by 2030.
The outcome of the Summit
Governments across Africa were urged to prioritize several key actions, including:
Escalate tests for hepatitis B and C: Governments were encouraged to implement testing strategies designed in collaboration with people who have lived the experience of hepatitis. These strategies should be delivered through a partnership of public, private and community services, using innovative point-of-care screening and diagnostic tools integrated with existing one-stop testing services.
Improve the connection to care: Ensuring that people living with viral hepatitis have access to life-saving treatments was highlighted as a critical step in the eradication process.
Strengthening cooperation with partners: An enabling environment for cooperation with partners, including affected communities, was deemed necessary. These communities should be at the center of the viral hepatitis response.
Integration into health systems: Integration of viral hepatitis into health systems, particularly antenatal care, was advocated as part of the triple elimination strategy.
Vaccination of newborns and infants: Inclusion of newborn and infant hepatitis B vaccination in routine immunization programs has been suggested to prevent deaths among children born in Africa.
Equal Rights Legislation: Governments were advised to adopt and enforce laws, policies and practices that protect the equal rights of people living with viral hepatitis, enabling them to live their lives without discrimination or disadvantage.
Internal funding: Emphasis was placed on significantly increasing domestic funding for hepatitis programs to ensure that Africans have access to vaccination, testing, care and treatment. The 2023 African Hepatitis Summit served as a critical forum for stakeholders across the continent to advance discussions and inspire action. It allowed the sharing of experiences, challenges and best practices and the promotion of learning between countries at different stages of hepatitis elimination. CDC Africa will continue to work closely with African Member States and partners to develop strategic priorities not only for viral hepatitis but also for other major health concerns.