World Hepatitis Alliance activities
A step towards elim
World Health Organization Executive Board m
On 28 January , Member States and civil society groups convened at the World Health Organization ( WHO ) Executive Board ( EB ) meeting in Geneva to discuss the draft Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis and the aspirational targets included .
Encouragingly , a high majority of countries endorsed the strategy saying that it was a welcome advancement in combatting viral hepatitis and key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ). Brazil in particular showcased its support by advocating for its adoption at the World Health Assembly in May , which many countries agreed with .
At the EB , Charles Gore , WHA President , urged Member States “ to recommend this strategy as it stands to the World Health Assembly for adoption in May ”. He said “ it has ambitious targets but we need ambitious targets . The Western Pacific Region ’ s ambitious target for reducing the prevalence of hepatitis B in children by 2012 was not achieved by every country , but it was achieved by the region . Please be inspired by that example .”
Although the meeting signalled an important step forward , more needs to be done ahead of the World Health Assembly in May . It will be crucial for WHA members and civil society groups to continue to advocate to their national policymakers to ensure the adoption of the strategy happens , ultimately signalling a pathway to the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public threat by 2030 .
6 hep Voice January 2016