HEPSANET workshop in Accra

HEPSANET 2025 workshop participants

A two-day HEPSANET workshop was arranged preceding the 2025 COLDA conference in Accra, Ghana in September 2025. Representatives from HEPSANET sites in Burkina Faso, Malawi, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Ghana, Senegal, Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt shared challenges and experiences with hepatitis B treatment and research across Africa.

Rob Brierley presenting on medical publishing

External speakers were also invited to share their knowledge, tailored to HEPSANET challenges and needs. Dr. Shevanthi Nayagam gave a great introduction to health economics and modelling, specifically for hepatitis research in Africa. Professor Niklaus Labhardt elaborated on innovative research designs that can be applied in rural areas. Professors Geoffrey Dusheiko, Antonio Bertoletti and Philippa Matthews shared their expertise and ideas on hepatitis B cure research, immunology and virology. Editor-in-Chief for the Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Rob Brierley, ended the session with his presentation on medical publishing.

HEPSANET members presented challenges, research ideas and upcoming publications. We have collected longitudinal data on more than 13,000 people living with hepatitis B from 11 different countries, and discussions focused on future directions, aims and strategies. 

Alice Guingane Nanelin receiving the 2025 HEPSANET award

Working groups were rearranged and a separate funding group was set up to ensure sustainability. The focus over the coming year will be to further strengthen the study sites, continue to focus on research quality and publish high-impact articles. In a longer perspective the vision is to foster local research talents and build a platform for future research ideas.

At the end of the workshop, the chairman of the steering committee Prof. Asgeir Johannessen announced that the 2025 HEPSANET Award is given to Prof. Alice Guingane Nanelin for her dedication, passion and ability to deliver good quality research with the help of her team in Burkina Faso.

“We had two very productive days and I am proud of the team we have built” says Prof. Asgeir Johannessen. “By working together we believe we will make a difference and improve the care for people living with hepatitis B in Africa”.