News

A recent workshop in Port Vila brought together experts, government health leaders and local researchers with a shared goal: to strengthen hepatitis B care and data systems in Vanuatu. Held from October 2024, the workshop was supported by WHO and the MOH and the Doherty Institute’s HiT3 (Hepatitis B Integration into Triple Elimination) program. 

The HiT3 program, led by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis at the Doherty Institute and supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, provides technical support to integrate hepatitis B prevention into programs for the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, enhancing regional efforts in vaccination, diagnosis and treatment. 

Annie Taissets and Kaylene Kalmos from the Vanuatu Ministry of Health’s Viral Hepatitis team co-facilitated the workshop alongside Dr Nicole Allard, Senior Clinical Advisor of the Doherty Institute’s HiT3 program. Attendees heard from local researchers Kathy Vuhu, Medical Laboratory Officer at the Northern Provincial Hospital Laboratory, Leiwia Dick, Laboratory Officer at the Vila Central Hospital, as well as Burnet Institute’s Aleesha Kalulu, Dr Caroline Van Gemmert and Dr Katie Heath, alongside the World Health Organization’s Dr Philippe Guant.  

The three-day workshop focused on: 

1. Reviewing current strategic information to monitor progress on national viral hepatitis indicators, including those related to the country’s triple elimination goals. 

2. Developing actionable plans to utilise data for enhancing service delivery. 

3. Identifying short- and long-term strategies for improving data quality across the hepatitis B program. 

The workshop included presentation of the draft National HIV/Hepatitis/STI strategy, training on the new electronic notification system and time for participants to develop provincial action plans. 

With a focus on tangible outcomes, key findings of the workshop highlighted the need for improved data collection and reporting across relevant program areas, including serology, vaccination, and maternal and newborn health. The actions are to be incorporated into the strategic plan. 

All stakeholders agreed that evaluating existing programs and identifying knowledge gaps are key priorities, as a robust data system will better equip Vanuatu to monitor viral hepatitis and triple elimination goals and ensure pregnant women receive better care through stronger clinical referral pathways and timely treatment.   

The workshop included presentation of the draft National HIV/Hepatitis/STI strategy, training on the new electronic notification system and time for participants to develop provincial action plans. 

With a focus on tangible outcomes, key findings of the workshop highlighted the need for improved data collection and reporting across relevant program areas, including serology, vaccination, and maternal and newborn health. The actions are to be incorporated into the strategic plan. 

All stakeholders agreed that evaluating existing programs and identifying knowledge gaps are key priorities, as a robust data system will better equip Vanuatu to monitor viral hepatitis and triple elimination goals and ensure pregnant women receive better care through stronger clinical referral pathways and timely treatment.