Policy Forum Side-Event at EASL Congress 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of liver failure and cancer, causing over 290,000 deaths globally each year. Among World Health Organization regions, Europe is home to the largest number of persons living with HCV, 12.5M of the 58M persons living with HCV globally. In 2019, the European region had the second highest number of new HCV infections (297,100) and second highest number of HCV-related deaths (64,200). Only an estimated 26% or persons living with HCV are aware of their infection and only approximately 10% have been treated across the European region.

With the availability of effective prevention measures, reliable tests, and curative therapies, WHO has targeted HCV for elimination by 2030. The challenge is to provide equitable access to these services, particularly for populations at high risk for HCV infection, including persons who inject drugs (PWID), persons who are incarcerated, and those otherwise marginalized from accessing routine healthcare services, such as rural populations. Refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons are often at increased risk for HCV as well. Over the past 15 months, the war in Ukraine has displaced millions of Ukrainians within their country and as refugees in neighboring countries.

The objective of this forum is to explore HCV elimination in Europe and the achievements and challenges in providing equitable access to hepatitis prevention, testing, and treatment for refugees, migrants, and other marginalized populations.

Agenda:

Session 1. HCV elimination in Europe and the impact of the war in Ukraine

• Presentation from Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine | Dr. Maryna Aleksandrova, Specialist in the Management and Counteraction of Viral Hepatitis and Opioid Dependency Department and Dr. Hanna Prykhodko, Expert in International Coordination
• Presentation from Moldova National Public Health Agency| Dr. Silvia Stratulat, Head of Department for Epidemiological Surveillance of HIV Infection and Viral Hepatitis
• Presentation from Georgia National Center for Disease Control | Dr. Maia Tsereteli, Head of Department HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STI & TB
• Presentation from Romania Carol Davila University of Medicine | Dr. Liana Gheorghe, Head of Department, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, UMF "Carol Davila" Bucharest and Dr. Cora Pop, Professor of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Medical Director, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest
• Presentation from Poland HCV Expert Group | Dr. Krzysztof Tomasiewicz, President of Polish HCV Expert Group and Vice-President of Polish Association of Epidemiologists and Infectiologists
• Discussion

Session 2. Policy panel discussion | How to achieve equity in HCV test and treat access in Europe

• Dr. George Kalamitsis, Co-Chair, ACHIEVE
• Dr. Marcelo Naveira, Medical Officer, WHO European Region
• Dr. Limas Kupčinskas, Chairman of Lithuanian HCV Screening and Elimination Group, Department of Gastroenterology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences
• Dr. Maryna Aleksandrova, Specialist in the Management and Counteraction of Viral Hepatitis and Opioid Dependency Department, Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine
• Dr. Hanna Prykhodko, Expert in International Coordination, Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine
• Dr. Silvia Stratulat, Head of Department for Epidemiological Surveillance of HIV Infection and Viral Hepatitis, Moldova National Public Health Agency
• Dr. Maia Tsereteli, Head of Department HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STI & TB, Georgia National Center for Disease Control and Public Health
• Dr. Liana Gheorghe, Head of Department, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, UMF "Carol Davila" Bucharest
• Dr. Cora Pop, Professor of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Medical Director, University Emergency Hospital Bucharest
• Dr. Krzysztof Tomasiewicz, President of Polish HCV Expert Group and Vice-President of Polish Association of Epidemiologists and Infectiologists

Date: Wednesday, June 21st

This event will be held in-person and will also be livestreamed.

In-person location: Courtyard Marriott Courtyard by Marriott Vienna Prater/Messe

Trabrennstraße 4 | Wien, A-1020

Austria

See in Google Maps here

Virtual live-stream: Details about the virtual livestream will be provided to those that register.

Time: 1-5 pm CET

12-1 pm CET lunch for in-person attendees.

Note: Limited in-person capacity is available. In-person registration will close will the maximum number is reached.

Register here