"It's time to act"
Context
The World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress towards eliminating viral hepatitis. In addition, allows the reflection on gaps and needs in the joint efforts towards the elimination of viral hepatitis in the Region of the Americas. A growing number of countries are adopting and implementing the Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, setting national plans and targets. However, to achieve elimination goals, it is crucial to step up efforts and improve access to diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis B and C.
Hepatitis has established itself as one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, underscoring the urgent need to take effective action to change the course of the global response towards the 2030 elimination commitment. Fortunately, eliminating viral hepatitis is an achievable goal, as we have effective tools for both the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B, and the cure for hepatitis C.
Our regional effort to eliminate viral hepatitis is strategically aligned with PAHO's Communicable Disease Elimination Initiative. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for governments, communities, and stakeholders to join forces and work together to eliminate more than 30 communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030.
The World Hepatitis Day also seeks to highlight the support of key stakeholders in this effort, as well as to share good practices and experiences from PAHO Member States.
Date and Time
25 July 2024, 11:00 a.m. (EDT, Washington D.C.)
This event will have interpretation in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Agenda
11:00 a.m. - 11:10 a.m. Welcome remarks
Dr Monica Alonso, PAHO
Dr Wendy Telgt Emanuelson, Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS - CARICOM
Mrs Rachel Halford, World Hepatitis Alliance
Video Message: Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director PAHO
11:10 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. Viral Hepatitis: WHO Global Report on Progress and Gaps.
Dr Bernardo Nuche, PAHO/WHO
11:25 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Progress in the elimination of hepatitis C in MEXICO
Dr Alethse de la Torre Rosas, National Center for the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS (CENSIDA), Ministry of Health, Mexico
11:40 a.m. - 11:55 a.m. Experience of the Hepatitis Assessment Project to Amplify Testing (Project HEAT) in Uruguay
Dr John Ward, Coalition for the Global Elimination of Hepatitis (CGHE)
Dr Victoria Mainardi, HIV/STI Program, Ministry of Health Uruguay
11:55 a.m. - 12:05 p.m. WHO 2024 Guidelines for the Management of Hepatitis B PAHO: Expanding Access to Treatment and Care.
Dr Leandro Sereno, PAHO
12:05 p.m. - 12:15 p.m. BRAZIL: National Response to Hepatitis B
Dr Mario Peribañez Gonzalez, Coordinator of the National Hepatitis Program, (DATHI/SVSA), Ministry of Health, Brazil
12:15 p.m. - 12:25 p.m. United for a Viral Hepatitis-Free Agenda: Community Collaboration for Viral Hepatitis Elimination - Panel Discussion
Moderator: Dr Ruben Mayorga, PAHO
Dr Patricia Vélez Möller, World Hepatitis Alliance
Mr Edson Aguilar, Voces Ciudadanas
12:25 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. Closing remarks
PAHO/WHO
Time Correspondence
09:00 am Central America, Belize and Mexico.
10:00 am Panama, Bogota, Lima, Quito.
11:00 am Santo Domingo, La Paz, Caracas, WDC, Havana, Asunción, Santiago.
12:00 pm Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Montevideo.