Summary & Key Points
"On October 11, 2024, the kickoff workshop for Phase 1 of the SIMBADE clinical trial brought together experts to streamline hepatitis B care in Côte d’Ivoire outside Greater Abidjan."
On October 11, 2024, the PAC-CI Research Center's Thérèse N’dri-Yoman room hosted the launch workshop for Phase 1 of the SIMBADE clinical trial. The primary goal of this trial is to simplify the care and follow-up of individuals living with the hepatitis B virus in regions of Côte d'Ivoire outside Greater Abidjan.
The event was attended by Pr. Emile Allah-Kouadio, Director-Coordinator of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (PNLHV) in Côte d'Ivoire, Dr. Raoul Moh, Executive Director of the PAC-CI Program, Dr. Anani Badjé, Operations Director of the PAC-CI Program, Mr. Yoman Yao Boniface, President of the "SOS Hepatitis Côte d'Ivoire" NGO, and researchers from the University of Bordeaux (led by Dr. Antoine Jaquet, the project's principal investigator), ANRS-MIE (France), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), and PAC-CI. The project designers presented this phase, focusing on the "feasibility and acceptability study in Côte d'Ivoire," to the various partners.
After welcoming the guests and outlining the theme and its relevance in the Ivorian context, Dr. Moh expressed his and the Executive Directorate's gratitude to Pr. Allah-Kouadio for his human and professional commitment to the PAC-CI Program's viral hepatitis projects.
Pr. Emile Allah-Kouadio, Director-Coordinator of the PNLHV in Côte d'Ivoire
In his presentation on "Achievements and challenges in the fight against viral hepatitis in Côte d'Ivoire," the PNLHV Director-Coordinator provided an overview of the epidemiological situation of hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E) in Côte d'Ivoire, with a particular focus on hepatitis B and C. He immediately described them as a "deadly epidemic," posing a major public health threat that requires the mobilization of decision-makers, health authorities, researchers, communities, and community leaders and agents.
Indeed, he affirmed, the prevalence of hepatitis B is 9%, and for hepatitis C, it is 3.3%. Compared to the current HIV prevalence of 1.82%, the alarming situation of hepatitis B has led the WHO to declare a global mobilization for its elimination by 2030. Unfortunately, despite the technical and financial efforts made by the State to facilitate access to treatment for hepatitis B and C, the means of action to enable the PNLHV to be more effective in the field—to screen, treat, and follow up patients—remain insufficient.
Yoman Y. Boniface of "SOS Hepatitis in Côte d'Ivoire" echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the actions (awareness, information, and free screening tests) that his association carries out in close collaboration with the PNLHV and with the technical support of PAC-CI to effectively combat viral hepatitis. According to him, given the difficulties encountered in some areas to screen people living with hepatitis B (due to the excessive cost of screening tests), vaccinate populations, and provide care and follow-up for patients, the SIMBADE project is a real opportunity for patient associations. The results of this clinical trial could make a significant contribution to the debate on the impact of expanded antiviral treatment for the hepatitis B virus in the context of a recent revision of the WHO criteria for treating people living with hepatitis B virus (PLHBV).
Dr Maëlle de Seze, Researcher at the University of Bordeaux
Following this, other presentations were made, including those by Dr. Antoine Jaquet and Dr. Maëlle de Seze (from the University of Bordeaux), who respectively provided an overview of the project and explained the main axes of Phase 1 (methodology, tools, targets, locations involved in the study, and timeline).
Regarding this first phase, it should be noted that experts will assess the feasibility and acceptability of a simplified strategy for initiating antiviral treatment, with or without a community intervention (involvement of Community Health Agents in the care and follow-up of PLHBV in a decentralized context) in Côte d'Ivoire. To achieve this objective, several field visits will be conducted throughout the national territory, in decentralized areas.
Finally, the participants agreed to meet in February-March 2025 to present the results of Phase 1, with a view to submitting a proposal for Phase 2 of the SIMBADE project.
