Treat Patients with Life-Saving Hepatitis B Meds

September 2026 Report

Dear supporters,

Because of work commitments, our team hasn't been able to travel as much as we reported in our last post.  However, our mission continues, and we have our plates full with ongoing projects and planned future initiatives.  We are forever reliant on your contributions and prayers to support our efforts.

Solomon Islands.  In September, Dr. David Hilmers traveled to Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, to explore a potential hepatitis collaboration with the medical staff at the National Referral Hospital.  The Solomons consist of around 1000 islands and a population approaching 1 million.  Honiara is the site of much of the fighting during the Battle of Guadalcanal, one of the turning points of World War 2. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic in the Solomon Islands.  Older studies from 2007 showed a prevalence of over 20% on one island.  Blood bank testing shows a 14% prevalence at the main hospital.  These statistics are staggering and demonstrate that there are probably over 100,000 cases in the country.  During ward rounds, there were many patients hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer from hepatitis. Hepatitis presents an enormous cost in lives and economic burden.  I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and desire of the doctors and other staff to implement measures to control the hepatitis epidemic.  Unfortunately, the hospital's medical professionals are already overworked.   We will pursue funding for a program coordinator and plan to donate equipment.  Future visits will include training and direct medical care.

Tonga. Work continues on our project in Tonga.  Our efforts in April have borne fruit. In July, one of our New Zealand partners presented to the Minister of Health to expand the Ha’api project into a national program.  Future visits are planned.

Madagascar. Progress has been slow in Madagascar.  We continue to struggle to obtain birth dose vaccines from UNICEF for our project in Antananarivo to prevent mother-to-child transmission. We will begin the study as soon as vaccines and medications arrive.  In the meantime, our prevalence studies in the areas around Fianarantsoa and Toamasina have gone very well and have collected valuable data.  Enthusiasm remains strong, and we are considering expanding treatment programs to selected provinces.

Later this month, Dr. Alice Lee will travel to India to present our work at the World Gastroenterology Organization annual meeting in Delhi.  We are also planning to explore a new project in Samoa before the end of the year.  We remain indebted to you for your generous support and are deeply grateful.

Sincerely,

David