Hepatitis B is a preventable yet life-threatening viral infection that attacks the liver, causing both acute and chronic disease. Transmitted through blood and bodily fluids, it poses a severe risk in the Wa region, especially for school children and sponsored families living in crowded conditions with limited preventive care access. Hepatitis B has claimed countless lives, leaving families without caregivers and children without parents. Vulnerable families already enduring economic hardship face further healthcare costs and loss of productivity due to illness, while school children experience absenteeism and diminished academic performance when sick or having to care for sick relatives, perpetuating the poverty cycle.
Despite available interventions, local prevalence and underdiagnosis remain high due to limited prevention awareness, lack of vaccination, and cultural practices. This initiative proposes a largescale, prevention-focused program to eliminate coverage gaps and significantly reduce Hepatitis B transmission, increase early detection, and improve long-term health outcomes in the region.
This one-year initiative will provide:
- Community-wide Hepatitis B prevention education for approximately 7,450 individuals, including sponsored families and school communities
- Systematic blood testing to identify infected individuals and asymptomatic carriers
- Referrals to treatment centres for those infected
- A full vaccination series for eligible and uninfected individuals
Key measurements for program success include: at least 65% of the target population is screened for Hepatitis B; at least 90% of enrolled individuals are vaccinated and; at least 75% of infected individuals are successfully referred to appropriate care and follow-up services. The program will be implemented through a coordinated structure involving the Chalice Wa Site Director, Ghana Country Coordinator, public health professionals, community health workers, schools, and community leaders.
Program Code: HDP-GWH0526
Budget in Canadian Funds: $294,370.49 CAD
DONATEPlease note that any donations that exceed the request will be used to fund other community projects that may arise.