The Asian Liver Center conducts many international health projects and campaigns that focus on global elimination of hepatitis B and liver cancer. Working with a diverse group of dedicated partners, the Asian Liver Center continues to serve as a leader in developing awareness campaigns, education programs, screening and vaccination projects, among other global outreach activities.
Jade Ribbon Campaign in China
"Fight Against Hep B Together," a presentation about the Jade Ribbon Campaign in China in 2007 by Linda Zhang, Program Manager at the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control.
Hangzhou, China
The Jade Ribbon Campaign in the People's Republic of China was officially launched at the National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference from April 26-30, 2004 in Hangzhou, China. This conference, held in conjunction with the China Centers for Disease Control and the Ministry of Health, featured a keynote speech by Dr. So, addressing "Why Eradicating Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Should be a National Priority in China." In partnership with the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control and provincial CDC and health departments, the Asian Liver Center and the ShinShin Educational Foundation in the U.S. launched a catch-up vaccination program in 2004 to vaccinate about 3,500 grade-school children in the Sichuan province. In 2005, the ALC partnered with the Sun Hung Kai Properties Kwok Foundation Ltd. and the Lui Hac Minh Foundation to provide free vaccinations for more than 100,000 students in China. In this massive program, the ALC provided the faculty, training, staff, lab equipment, educational materials, and vaccines to the region.
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Dr. Samuel So poses with a group of grade-school children in Sichuan who had just been vaccinated. |
Qinghai, China
2006-2007: The Qinghai project 2006-2007 vaccinated and educated approximately 50,000 school age children in 331 schools. The project kicked off on September 5, 2006 and went through April 2007. We achieved an unprecedented 95% vaccination completion rate as well as an 80% increase in hepatitis B prevention education knowledge levels. The program involved collaboration from a variety of government departments and agencies, highlighting the fact that hepatitis B prevention is not only a health concern, but also an educational and social issue.
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Dr. So, Teacher Zhao and ZheShan Foundation Executive Director Ho Wei Chi pose with the classic "3 For Life" sign with students in Qinghai. Because of our catch-up hepatitis B vaccination and education program, by April 2007 these children will no longer have to fear HBV. |
2007-2008: In a continuation of the 2006-2007 Qinghai Project, this year our goal is to complete the vaccination series for 500,000 children and to educate government officials, teachers, and elementary school students about hepatitis B transmission, prevention, and other facets of the disease. Thanks to a generous donation from the Ping and Amy Chao foundation, we will be able to protect future generations from hepatitis B infection.
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Dr. So, Jordan Su, Jonathan Chen and Jay Zhang in front of the WHO vehicle that transported them 800 miles around Qinghai during their visit. Jay and Jonathan are currently working in Qinghai traveling around school by school to reinforce the education effort. In the month of September alone they traveled to 30 schools and met with 6500 students. |
Chengdu, China
Dr. So traveled to Chengdu to deliver the opening keynote address at the China Hepatitis Prevention and Control Conference on November 16, 2006. In his speech, Dr. So gave recommendations for a comprehensive national strategy to eliminate hepatitis B in China, emphasizing the need for an expanded immunization program that would provide free catch-up vaccination for unprotected children and adolescents. Download and read the abstract here (in English).
In addition, Sichuan University held its first Graduate Student Health Forum on November 17, 2006. The ALC was invited to introduce the Jade Ribbon, which was officially adopted to represent their anti-discrimination stance regarding HBV. Read more about the Jade Ribbon in China and the ALC's visit to Sichuan University (in Chinese).
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Graduate students from the Sichuan University gather to learn about the Asian Liver Center's mission at the Graduate Student Health Forum in 2006. |
Many of the ALC’s global outreach efforts take place in China because China has the greatest burden of hepatitis B and liver cancer in the world. One-third of the 350-400 million people in the world with chronic (lifelong) hepatitis B live in China, with the incidence of hepatitis B reaching upwards of 17% in some provinces. Each year, an estimated 500,000 Chinese die of liver cancer or failure caused by hepatitis B.
Dr. So traveled to Beijing, China to speak to students at Tsinghua University on May 21, 2008. As one of China’s most renowned universities, Tsinghua has become an important institution for fostering talent and scientific research. Tsinghua University is one of China's national centers for training engineers and scientists. View the Tsinghua University Report [Chinese] of sunshine volunteer hepatitis B activities and Dr. So's lecture at the University.
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Dr. So lecturing to Tsinghua University students about hepatitis B and liver cancer on May 21, 2008. |
Alena Groopman traveled to Beijing, China to join a round table discussion about using the Jade Ribbon Campaign as a platform for action for education, outreach and awareness of hepatitis B and liver cancer among university students in China. The round table discussion included key stakeholders including the China Ministry of Health, China CDC, ZeShan Foundation, BMS Foundation, China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control, Asia Pacific Foundation of Newa, Tsinghua University School of Journalishm and Communication, and the ALC. Ms. Groopman gave an overview of the Jade Ribbon Campaign, Team HBV and the Asia and Pacific Alliance to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis.
Team HBV China Chapters
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Last Updated: September 1, 2009
