KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR) was honoured to host in this year’s World Hepatitis Day on July 28, joining forces with it’s partners Gilead Sciences, Phillips Therapeutics Limited, the Wellness Institute Trust, Climate & Health Connect, and the Health Equity Transformation through Innovation Foundation (HETIF). The day served as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to accelerate progress toward hepatitis elimination in Kenya and across the region.

The event brought together a rich mix of participants—from infectious disease specialists, post-doctoral fellows, and University of Nairobi faculty to members of the pharmaceutical sector, medical students, peer leaders, community advocates, and the general public. This collaborative spirit reflects the very heart of our mission at KAVI-ICR: bridging science, partnerships, and community engagement to improve health outcomes.

A major highlight of the day was the “Beauty is Liver Deep” campaign, a creative initiative that takes hepatitis awareness beyond hospitals and laboratories into everyday spaces such as salons and barbershops. These trusted community hubs play a key role in sparking conversations, reducing stigma, and encouraging people to seek screening and treatment for Hepatitis B.

We were privileged to hear from Dr. Marybeth Maritim, whose keynote Hepatitis presentation painted a clear picture of both the progress made and the challenges that remain in the fight against hepatitis. She underscored the importance of scaling up vaccination, ensuring accessible testing, and removing barriers to treatment if Kenya is to meet WHO’s 2030 elimination target.

During the closing session, Prof. Omu Anzala, Professor of Virology & Immunology, called for a sustained approach to hepatitis advocacy, pointing out that eliminating Hepatitis B is scientifically possible because the virus has no vectors or animal reservoirs. He also emphasised the need for deeper research into unexplained clustering in disease transmission and the potential contribution of environmental toxins, such as aflatoxins, to different forms of hepatitis.

The day concluded with a celebration of creativity and innovation from University of Nairobi students, whose infographics and videos powerfully communicated the importance of hepatitis prevention and treatment. Their contributions remind us that young voices are essential in shaping the future of public health advocacy.

At KAVI-ICR, we remain committed to advancing clinical research and fostering strong, community-centred collaborations. World Hepatitis Day is more than a date on the calendar—it is a call to action to keep the conversation alive every day, until hepatitis is no longer a public health threat.