World Hepatitis Day 2022 – Somali Hepatitis Awareness Week
Organized by Somali Hepatitis Initiative (now Somali Hepatitis Trust) with Abrar University, SomGASTRO Clinic & Liver Center Somalia
1. Introduction
World Hepatitis Day is commemorated globally on 28 July to raise awareness and accelerate efforts toward the elimination of viral hepatitis. In 2022, the Somali Hepatitis Initiative (HEPSOM – now Somali Hepatitis Trust), in collaboration with Abrar University, SomGASTRO Clinic, and the Liver Center Somalia, organized a week-long awareness and service campaign (23–28 July 2022) under the theme: “Hepatitis Can’t Wait.”
The initiative focused on community screening, vaccination, and specialized care for hepatitis patients, aiming to reduce the silent burden of liver disease in Somalia.
2. Objectives
- To raise community awareness about Hepatitis B and C.
- To provide free screening for early detection.
- To expand access to affordable Hepatitis B vaccination.
- To support hepatitis-positive patients with specialist consultation and free liver ultrasound services.
- To mobilize public, academic, and clinical partners in the fight against hepatitis.
3. Activities Conducted
3.1 Community Outreach & Free Screening
- Hospital booths at front of hospital SomGastro Clinic and Liver Center Somalia
- Free Hepatitis B & C screening was offered to the general public.
- Hundreds of individuals, including students, workers, and local families, benefited from the testing services.
3.2 Subsidized Hepatitis B Vaccination
- Affordable Hepatitis B vaccines were provided.
- Targeted outreach was made to high-risk groups (healthcare workers, students, and families of hepatitis-positive patients).
- Demand for vaccination was higher than expected, demonstrating strong community interest.
3.3 Free Specialist Consultation
- Patients who tested positive received free consultations with liver specialists at SomGASTRO Clinic and the Liver Center Somalia.
- Counseling sessions were conducted on lifestyle, prevention of transmission, and available treatment options.
3.4 Free Liver Ultrasound Services
- Hepatitis-positive patients underwent free liver ultrasound scans.
- This helped identify early signs of cirrhosis, fibrosis, and other complications.
- Patients requiring further care were referred for follow-up management.
4. Achievements
- Increased Community Engagement: Hundreds of community members screened within one week.
- Prevention Strengthened: Over [Insert Number] individuals received Hepatitis B vaccination at subsidized rates.
- Early Diagnosis: Several new hepatitis-positive cases identified and referred for care.
- Improved Access to Care: Dozens of patients accessed free specialist consultations and ultrasound services.
- Partnership Building: Collaboration between university, clinic, and NGO partners reinforced.
5. Challenges
- Limited availability of Hepatitis B vaccines and reliance on donor support.
- Stigma surrounding hepatitis discouraged some community members from attending.
- Gaps in national policy and strategy, and the absence of Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine, continue to pose systemic challenges.
6. Recommendations & Next Steps
- Scale up nationwide hepatitis screening programs.
- Advocate for introduction of Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine into Somalia’s EPI schedule.
- Expand vaccination outreach to cover healthcare workers, students, and rural communities.
- Establishing National Hepatitis Control Program at FGS, MoH.
- Develop a national hepatitis policy and strategy.
- Strengthen partnerships with international donors and WHO for sustainable funding.
7. Conclusion
The World Hepatitis Day 2022 Somali Hepatitis Awareness Week demonstrated that awareness, prevention, and care can be effectively integrated in community programs. By providing free screening, affordable vaccination, and specialist services, the initiative not only saved lives but also laid the groundwork for a national hepatitis elimination strategy in Somalia.
Attached Photos: Screening tents, vaccination sessions, specialist consultations, and ultrasound activities during the event.
Organized by: Somali Hepatitis Trust (formerly HEPSOM)
In Collaboration with: Abrar University | SomGASTRO Clinic | Liver Center Somalia
