Decatur, GA — The Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE) is delighted to announce that a Sierra Leone pharmacist and community health specialist, Dr. Manal Ghazzawi, has been named a 2023 CGHE “Elimination Champion.”
The Elimination Champions Awards recognize the outstanding contributions made by individuals who have demonstrated remarkable efforts in improving political commitment, policies, and programs that accelerate progress toward viral hepatitis elimination, particularly in areas with limited resources.
Dr. Manal Ghazzawi, a Doctor of Pharmacy and public health specialist, leads the fight against hepatitis in Sierra Leone through her KnowHep Foundation. Her relentless efforts span community engagement, education, and advocacy. Manal’s grassroots campaigns target diverse communities, conducting town hall meetings and engaging youth in unconventional settings, like clubs and sports fields. A media fixture for health-related information, she hosts radio and TV talks, sponsors walks and educates in schools and universities annually for World Hepatitis Day. Her pharmacy, CitiGlobe Pharmacy, provides accessible screenings and vaccines for hepatitis B. Through workshops and policy advocacy, she prioritizes testing and treatment for underserved people in her community. Overall, Dr. Ghazzawi’s comprehensive efforts pave the way for a future free of viral hepatitis in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Ghazzawi’s nominator enthused, “My nominee’s unwavering commitment and relentless efforts are an inspiration to me. Her relentless pursuit of excellence, dedication, and determination have truly set her apart. Her exceptional accomplishments and tireless dedication deserve to be recognized and celebrated.”
A distinguished panel of judges from the hepatitis community carefully evaluated all nominations. This year’s judges included:
- Dr. Su Wang, Medical Director of the Center for Asian Health at Saint Barnabas Medical Center and past president of the World Hepatitis Alliance
- Dr Charles Adjei, Executive Director of the Hepatitis Alliance of Ghana and 2022 Elimination Champion
- Morgane Guex, Policy, Public Health & Advocacy Coordinator for the European Association for the Study of the Liver
- Wongani Mzumara, Ministry Of Health Malawi, HIV/AIDS and Viral Hepatitis Department
- Solange Gerona, Head of the National Liver Transplant Program and the Hepatology Service Hospital Central de Las Fuerzas Armadas de Uruguay
The Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination acknowledges the remarkable accomplishments of all the 2023 nominees and congratulates the 2023 Champions. By acknowledging and celebrating the remarkable efforts of individuals committed to hepatitis elimination, we strive to inspire others and create momentum towards a world free from this devastating disease.
Meet the 2023 Elimination Champions!
CGHE proudly announces our champions for 2023, recognizing the remarkable contributions of individuals to improved political commitment, policies, and programs that expand access to interventions and accelerate progress toward hepatitis elimination, particularly with limited resources.
Mr Mwape Chisonde is a biomedical technologist, public health practitioner, and the founder and executive director of Hep Initiative Zambia.
Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Rachael Fleurence have been prominent advocates for hepatitis C elimination in the US, working with the White House and driving the conversation about hepatitis C in the media and the US Congress.
Dr. Javier Crespo has devoted his career to investigating liver diseases and viral hepatitis in Spain, where he is a member of the working group to design and develop the Spanish National Plan to tackle hepatitis C.
Dr. Manal Ghazzawi is a Doctor of Pharmacy and public health specialist in Sierra Leone, who leads the KnowHep Foundation.
Pharm. Prince O. Okinedo is the founder of the Hepatitis B Advocacy Initiative in Nigeria, which advocates for increased access to care and policy change.
Dr. Junko Tanaka is an epidemiologist and public health expert, who researches hepatitis B and C in Japan, whose groundbreaking work estimated undiagnosed chronic hepatitis B and C cases.
