The Hepatitis Community of Practice (HepCOP) was officially launched at the African Hepatitis Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, marking a significant milestone in Africa’s collective effort to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat. The launch brought together health leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, and experts from across the continent under the coordination of the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO). This initiative underscores a renewed regional commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and joint advocacy to strengthen hepatitis prevention and control.
The timing of HepCOP’s launch is critical as Africa faces a disproportionately high hepatitis burden, accounting for 63% of new global hepatitis B infections, while only 18% of newborns receive the crucial birth-dose vaccine. Despite these alarming statistics, hepatitis remains largely undiagnosed and untreated, reflecting major gaps in access to healthcare, diagnosis, and treatment services. The new initiative aims to reverse this trend through stronger partnerships and a unified regional approach.
HepCOP will serve as a dynamic platform connecting Ministries of Health, academic institutions, community organizations, and civil society from twelve priority countries and beyond. It will facilitate south-to-south collaboration, promote best practice sharing, and strengthen regional capacity to respond effectively. During the launch, WHO AFRO Regional Director Dr. Mohamed Janabi called for collective action, urging all stakeholders to “move from fragmentation to focused collaboration” to achieve real progress.
The Community of Practice will concentrate on enhancing national strategic planning, integrating hepatitis services, improving surveillance and data systems, advancing research and implementation science, and amplifying advocacy and visibility. Its founding members include twelve WHO AFRO priority countries—Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda—along with Namibia, with more countries expected to join soon.
The event generated strong momentum and reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to tackling hepatitis through partnership, innovation, and solidarity. As the region moves forward, HepCOP stands as a symbol of unity and determination, aiming to drive coordinated action, enhance program effectiveness, and pave the way for a hepatitis-free Africa.
