The Hepatitis Evaluations to Amplify Testing and Treatment (HEAT) project was started in 2020 by the Coalition to provide catalytic grants to local coalitions of partners to 1) Assess the epidemiological burden of HBV and HCV 2) Assess the laboratory capacity for HBV and HCV testing 3) Model future testing strategies for elimination and 4) Develop improved testing recommendations and national policies. To date, the Coalition has funded 6 projects in Vietnam, Ghana, Moldova, Uruguay, Malawi, and Nigeria. This webinar will bring together partners leading past and current projects to present lessons learned, share results, and discuss how these types of projects can be leveraged for national planning to drive elimination efforts.

Program:

Welcome & Introduction to the HEAT project

Lessons learned from completed projects

• Ghana HEAT | Overview of HEAT findings & how HEAT led to Ghana's first HCV test & treat demonstration project | Dr. Yvonne Nartey
• HEAT Moldova | Overview of HEAT findings & development of national strategy and modeling | Dr. Silvia Stratulat
• HEAT Vietnam | Taking a regional approach to HEAT & synergies with other research projects | Dr. Amy Trang
• Q/A

Plans for upcoming projects

• Nigeria HEAT | Development of HEAT data collection app | Dr. Kalada Green
• Uruguay HEAT | Importance of engaging stakeholders in setting up the HEAT project: Lessons from Uruguay | Dr. Solange Gerona
• Malawi HEAT | How HEAT can strengthen national planning| Dr. Chembe Kachimanga
• Q/A

Discussion period

• What gap does the laboratory capacity evaluation data fill in national hepatitis elimination planning?
• Which results from the project were most surprising?
• How have the results from the HEAT study been used to guide national planning?
• How can these evaluations be used to leverage investments from COVID-19?