In 2019, there were an estimated 1.5 million new HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. While decades of investments have resulted in strong progress in HIV diagnosis and treatment HBV and HCV lag behind with around 10% and 26% of those with chronic HBV and chronic HCV diagnosed and even fewer treated. Among people living with HIV (PLHIV), 2.7 million people are coinfected with HBV and 2.3 million with HCV. Lack of progress in viral hepatitis means poorer outcomes for PLHIV, key populations and pregnant women and their newborns. Untreated hepatitis coinfection in PLHIV accelerates progression of liver disease, hepatocellular cancer and untimely death, undermining the gains of HIV treatment. HIV coinfection doubles the risk of mother-to-child transmission of viral hepatitis. More than half of all people coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C are people who inject drugs. Men who have sex with men who live with HIV are at substantially higher risk of hepatitis C infection, and HIV programmes (including testing, prevention, and treatment) provide opportunities for hepatis C and B integration tailored to population and local epidemiology. In this session, communities affected by viral hepatitis and HIV will share their perspectives on why it is urgent to scale-up access to HBV and HCV services. Implementers will present exciting ways in which they are pragmatically and effectively integrating viral hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment into HIV services. Donors, ministries of health, advocacy and technical organizations will discuss their plans to accelerate elimination of viral hepatitis alongside HIV.

• Presentations
• Session recording (English)