Help Make Myanmar Hepatitis Free 2020-2021

OVERVIEW
Team HBV is supporting the Myanmar Liver Foundation and hosting a nationwide fundraising campaign to help fund hepatitis screening and vaccination events for high-risk, underserved populations in Myanmar. 

THE DISEASE
Hepatitis B is an infectious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) that can lead to chronic hepatitis (long-term liver inflammation), cirrhosis (liver scarring), and eventually liver cancer. Though there is no cure, it is preventable through screenings and vaccinations; if caught early, its chronic consequences can be suppressed. HBV is known as the “silent killer,”  as symptoms of the infection often are silent and chronic effects only appear by the time there is already serious liver damage. Therefore, early prevention is crucial.

Due to its "silent" nature, over half of patients with hepatitis B are not aware of their infection. As advocated by the World Hepatitis Alliance, the goal for hepatitis advocacy efforts is to "find the missing millions."

SCREENINGS IN MYANMAR 
According to a nationwide survey conducted in 2016, more than 6.5% of the Myanmar population is affected by hepatitis B. The Myanmar Liver Foundation (MLF) is the first registered liver foundation in Myanmar, which focuses on awareness raising, prevention, training and policy advocacy for liver-related illnesses including Hepatitis infections. In just six years, the MLF has provided the 3 vaccine series for complete hepatitis B immunity to over 500,000 people. MLF is actively raising funds for diagnostic services, vaccinations, and anti-viral agents. Specifically, the MLF currently relies on private donations in order to sustain their hepatitis screening and vaccination efforts, which are the most economically effective way to prevent hepatitis infections.

From 2019 to 2020, the MLF will be screening 200,000 subjects in the general population for hepatitis B and C. In addition, they are giving health education talks and counseling to positive patients. They are working in collaboration with Mylan Pharmaceutical Company who is donating the screening kits. Currently, they have already tested over 80,000 patients free of charge! 

THE FUNDRAISER
Where do we come in? While patients are screened free of charge, there is currently no financial support to also provide patients with the  3 vaccine series essential for hepatitis B immunity. Our goal is to raise $15,000 by the end of this summer.  For every $15 we raise, we will be able to give all three vaccines to those who test negative for immunity.

A small group of Team HBV-ers will travel to Myanmar at the completion of the fundraising campaign and help carry out screening/vaccination events with the Myanmar Liver Foundation!

To learn more about the Myanmar Liver Foundation, visit https://www.myanmarliverfoundation.org.
To learn more about Team HBV, visit https://www.teamhbv.org.