Peer Learning Initiative Strengthens Africa’s Hepatitis Prevention Efforts BODY: Cairo, Egypt – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has concluded a five-day peer learning workshop in Cairo, Egypt, which has trained a total of 132 programme managers from 32 African Union (AU) Member States in viral hepatitis prevention and control. Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), this initiative is part of the broader strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
The workshop, attended by 24 programme managers from Central African Republic, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Zambia, focused on strengthening national hepatitis prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance systems through peer-to-peer learning and best practices exchange. Viral hepatitis, a silent and often under-recognized cause of liver inflammation, poses a significant public health threat in Africa, with an estimated 304 million people at risk and 1. 3 million new cases reported annually.
Participants engaged in discussions on effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, emphasizing the importance of surveillance systems in early detection and control. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC Director General, highlighted the empowerment of Member States with tools and knowledge to eliminate viral hepatitis.
Egypt, which achieved WHO’s Gold Tier status on the path to hepatitis C elimination in 2023, shared its 12-pillar hepatitis elimination framework during the workshop.
In collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population, the workshop provided a structured exchange on Egypt’s successful hepatitis C response.
A field visit to a pharmaceutical facility in Alexandria offered practical insights into the production of local hepatitis medicines, underlining the commitment to building sustainable health systems and lasting capacity. KOICA Deputy Country Director Ms. Sun Kyung Park emphasized the importance of sustained investment in resilient health systems and peer learning across countries, hoping the workshop’s knowledge will be applied to reduce hepatitis B and C cases.
The Africa CDC’s efforts are aligned with the WHO’s 2030 hepatitis elimination targets and the broader Pan-African integration agenda, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Through these initiatives and peer learning workshops, Africa is taking significant steps towards a hepatitis-free future.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: reliefweb
Source: Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
