World Hepatitis Day: How Community-Based Programmes Transform Approaches to Hepatitis C Elimination

Tetiana Deshko, Director of the International Programmes Department, Alliance for Public Health, emphasises:

“Viral hepatitis presents a tremendous challenge, especially in countries with a high disease burden, such as those with low or middle incomes. To eliminate hepatitis C, we must focus on the patients and enable them to start treatment on the same day as a positive test using rapid diagnostics within the community. Today, this is possible and we are expanding such programmes in Ukraine and worldwide.”

Zahedul Islam, Director of the Treatment, Procurement, and Supply management department, Alliance for Public Health notes:

“We break down barriers so that the most vulnerable people in Ukraine can receive timely diagnosis and affordable hepatitis C treatment, which saves lives. Since 2015, through our low-threshold programmes, over 14,495 patients in key populations, including those living with HIV and tuberculosis – have begun therapy. Even during full-scale war, around 40% of them, that’s over 5,800 individuals, received the support they needed. Services are delivered directly within communities so no one is left behind.”

Taras, age 45, Ukraine:

“I survived combat and decided to keep fighting. In August 2022, I joined the assault brigade as a volunteer. After one of the toughest battles, only two of us were left alive. I arrived at the hospital in critical condition—doctors literally rebuilt my gut and saved my liver. After a long rehabilitation, I returned to civilian life, only to learn I had another enemy — hepatitis C. I had no symptoms and discovered it only by chance during testing. But from the first visit to health care facility, I felt I wasn’t alone, a social worker from the NGO ‘Alternative’ in Odesa supported me every step of the way. I knew I had to win this fight too, so I could remain strong not just on the front lines, but in life.”

Tetiana, age 44, Ukraine:

“My husband and I have three children, living in frontline Dobropillia in Donetsk region. We both had co-infections – HIV and hepatitis C. With free hepatitis C treatment from the NGO ‘Our Help’, everything changed in our family. Already during treatment, we felt revitalized, regaining strength, energy, and confidence in the future. Our children were happy we could be active again—we rested and worked together, and they learned the value of life and hard work. We saw them starting to smile more. We became parents once more, able to support and stand by our children. This programme wasn’t just about free medicines – it restored our lives and the comfort of being a family again.”

Olha, age 41, Ukraine:

“Due to the war, I had to leave my native Luhansk region to be displaced to Rivne. Life of the displaced person is challenging – new city, dormitory, unfamiliar faces. I started feeling unwell but blamed fatigue and stress. Symptoms did not go away. After examinations in the hospital, I received an unexpected result – positive for HCV-infection. This diagnose shocked me… Thanks to the APH’s project, I got free treatment. And today, I’m healthy. I’m truly grateful to everyone who backed me up, especially to social workers from Rivne oblast charity foundation ‘Our Future’. Without their support, I could still be living with a dangerous diagnosis, completely unaware of it.”

Laurie Schowalter, Frontline AIDS Lead Programmes:

“We are proud to collaborate with APH through the HepC III programme. With many decades of experience in developing high-quality health programmes focused on communities and drug users, APH brings technical expertise, excellence, and compassion to this work. Their efforts to break down the barriers to HCV testing and treatment move us closer to a future free of viral hepatitis.”

Aniedi Akpan, Executive Director of Drug Free And Preventive Healthcare Organization – DAPHO (Nigeria), says:

“The community-led and based HCV Innovate Involve Inspire project in Nigeria will situate HCV prevention and treatment at drug user community Centre making it accessible in terms of proximity, reach to the community and cost. The intervention is important in its implementation strategy and its potential to drive change within the community due to community leadership, collaboration and experience sharing on the project at International levels through the Community Advisory Board, among the consortium implementing countries (Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria and Ukraine), at National levels through the multi-sectoral National Steering Committee and at sub-national level through the joint stakeholder and community State Steering committee.”

Dr Wael Mansour, psychiatrist at one of the OAT sites in Egypt, is implementing a pilot intervention on long‑acting injectable buprenorphine (LADB) as part of the project:

“Since I attended “Harm Reduction Academy” workshops delegated from the GSMHAT, together with the Heliopolis team, guided by the principles of Harm Reduction Academy, we went through upgrading all the efforts being done in the field of addiction medicine in Egypt, stepping wise, we adopted three access as a supporting start:

• First, training Healthcare Providers and Harm Reduction Workers on blood borne diseases (HIV), (HBV) and (HCV): including prevention strategies, testing, and treatment options, how to encourage PWID to engage with dignity without stigma and how to properly react to the FAQ specially those related to religion and social norms.
• Second, promoting and supporting the concept of one window services based on public health needs rather than moral judgments “HPH provides virus screening and treatment in addition to three treatment choices (OAT, inpatient facility and the traditional outpatient intensive care) for substance users specially (PWID) together with family education and support
• Supporting advocacy efforts for laws and policies that enable access to harm reduction services and empowering communities through peer engagement and public events and social media videos and posts.
  I am honored to express my gratitude to Harm Reduction Academy principles which reflect on improving our response to blood borne diseases among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID).”

Leonid, age 57, Kyrgyzstan:

“I put off hepatitis C treatment for a long time, out of fear and not knowing where to start. But once I learned about the community‑based programme, everything changed. They explained everything in detail, helped with testing and supported me at every stage. It’s really convenient – you don’t have to commute far; everything’s close by. I feel supported and grateful to everyone involved. Thanks to you, I began the path to recovery and now I can live a long life.”

Maria, age 26, Kyrgyzstan:

“When I found out I had hepatitis C, I was confused and afraid. But thanks to our community, I had an opportunity to start treatment – it was organised conveniently, close to my home, with attentive support. Weeks into therapy, I felt refreshed, my sleep and mood approved, and constant fatigue disappeared. I began to recover and feel alive again. Huge thanks to everyone who helps us fight and believe in better.”

Alina, age 37, Kyrgyzstan:

“As a mother of four, when diagnosed with hepatitis C, my world collapsed. I didn’t know where to seek help and was terrified for my health and my children’s future. Luckily, our community told me I could receive treatment nearby, without bureaucracy and with humane care. Everything was clear, accessible and, most importantly – supportive at every stage. Within a month I felt better – I regained energy, weakness faded, and I became an active mother again. I started recovering. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This isn’t just treatment, it’s a return to life.”

Mykyta, age 31, Kyrgyzstan:

“After release [from prison], I realised that if I didn’t take care of my health now, it might be too late. I was diagnosed with hepatitis C while being incarcerated but didn’t receive treatment then. Once free, I approached the community; they welcomed me without judgement, as a normal human being. They helped with tests, quickly enrolled me into the treatment programme and explained everything. Here no one is abandoned – they walk with you step by step, constantly calling you and checking on how I feel. I just started treatment but already feel revived and hopeful. I’m grateful that there are people and this help.”