Gilead Sciences
As longstanding supporters of the alliance’s essential work, WHA is immensely grateful to Gilead Sciences for their support making the World Hepatitis Summit 2026 a reality.
Gilead are supporting two sessions at the summit, and will be sharing BehinD The SilenCe, their latest collaborative campaign with WHA, at the Hep Can’t Wait! Networking Zone.
Working together toward a future free from viral hepatitis
For decades, Gilead has worked to improve the lives of people living with viral hepatitis, yet significant gaps remain. Achieving the World Health Organization’s goal to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 demands collective action. Progress depends on stronger health systems, inclusive policies, and equitable access, guided by the voices of those most affected.
At Gilead, we believe partnerships, advocacy, and community engagement drive lasting change. Our membership in the World Hepatitis Alliance Supporter Circle builds on longstanding collaboration, including initiatives like the All4Liver grant, supporting community-led solutions that confront stigma and accelerate progress toward a world free from viral hepatitis.
WHS 2026 session spotlight
Globalising Best Practices: Advancing Blood-Borne Virus Screening and Linkage to Care Through Community, Health System, and Government Partnerships | |
Tuesday, 28 April 17:00-18:00 Location: Grand Ballroom 1-3 Speakers: · Derek Spencer, CRNP – Executive Director, FOCUS – Gilead Sciences, USA · Madalena Pestana, MD – Gastroenterologist – Hospital Dr Nélio Mendonça; Funchal, Madeira, Portugal · Su Wang, MD, MPH – Medical Director, Center for Asian Health & Viral Hepatitis Programs – Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center; New Providence, New Jersey, USA | Session Overview: Despite the presence of evidence-based public health guidelines for bloodborne virus screening, implementation in real world settings is inconsistent. The FOCUS model uses principles of implementation science to support the transformation of health systems to apply public health guidelines for bloodborne virus screening and linkage to care into routine healthcare delivery, in regions and among populations with high prevalence of disease across the globe. This session will explore the implementation of routine bloodborne virus screening (HIV, HBV, HCV) and linkage to care in real world settings and describe how governments in the US, Spain and Portugal have adopted the model as an approach that contributes to addressing HCV and other public health epidemic · Derek will open the session and provide philosophy, methodology and impact of policy driven screening for bloodborne viruses in areas of high prevalence (Importantly it normalizes, routinizes and destigmatizes screening) · FOCUS Partner, Dr. Wang will demonstrate through data how she has implemented the FOCUS model in the US (HIV, HBV and HCV screening and linkage to care in a large health system with a diverse patient population) · Dr Pestana, hepatologist from FOCUS in Madeira to present FOCUS data and the public private partnership with the Regional Government, leading to earlier accomplishment of HCV elimination in the region. |
It Takes a Village: Engaging People, Providers, and Policymakers to Accelerate Hepatitis Elimination | |
Wednesday, 29 April 13:30 -14:30 Location: Siam Hall Speakers: Ludmilla Reina, Executive Director, Gilead Patient Solutions – Gilead Sciences · Dr Bethany Holt, Director, Health Systems Transformation & Partnerships, Program in Global Primary Health Care – Harvard Medical School · David Duong, Director, Program in Global Primary Health Care – Harvard Medical School Panellists: · Dr Gloria J. Balboa, Undersecretary of Health – Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines · Dr Pham Thanh Thuy, Clinical Lead – The Partnership for Health Advancement in Vietnam · Danjuma Adda, Executive Director – Centre for Initiative and Development · Dr John Ward, Director – Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination · Imee Lacson, Patient Advocate – Yellow Warrior Society Philippines · Moderated by Todd Pollack, Director, Infectious Diseases and Health Security, Program in Global Primary Health Care – Harvard Medical School | Session overview: Global progress toward the elimination of hepatitis B and C as a public health threat is not on track. Achieving the WHO elimination targets—particularly the goal of a 65% reduction in hepatitis-related mortality—will require a substantial and rapid scale-up of testing, treatment initiation, and long-term management for people living with chronic hepatitis B and C. Reaching these targets will not be possible through specialist-led, hospital-based models alone. There is an urgent need to simplify care pathways and decentralise hepatitis testing and treatment utilising a primary health care approach, including through integration with existing services, such as chronic non-communicable disease care. This need is especially acute in low- and middle-income countries with a high burden of chronic hepatitis B, where access to specialist services remains limited. While the case for decentralisation is increasingly recognised, there remains a critical gap in evidence and practical guidance on how to transform hepatitis B and C service delivery into models that are both people-centered and primary care–led at scale. Drawing on lessons from the StITCH (Strengthening the Integrated Treatment and Care for Hepatitis) project in Vietnam and the Philippines, the session will showcase how co-designed, people-centered approaches can successfully decentralise hepatitis services to primary care level, improve access and equity, and strengthen sustainability. Drawing on real-world implementation experience, the session will demonstrate how collaborative action across communities, providers, and policymakers can accelerate national progress toward hepatitis elimination. The overarching theme, “it takes a village”, will emphasise the collective role of communities, providers, and policymakers in driving hepatitis elimination. |
BehinD the silenCe
There’s a story BehinD the SilenCe.
Sometimes, what people living with hepatitis don’t say, says everything.
BehinD the SilenCe is a collaboration between Gilead and the WHA, helping to close the gap between what’s said and what remains unspoken.
Stigma, fear, or uncertainty can make it difficult for people living with viral hepatitis to open up fully to their doctor about how their condition impacts their daily life. This often prevents them from getting the support they need.
BehinD the SilenCe looks to shine a light on the unspoken experiences of people living with hepatitis B, C, and D (delta). By sharing real stories of people living with viral hepatitis, alongside the perspectives of a healthcare professional, the campaign will show the power of open conversations in breaking down stigma, which is too often a barrier to testing and care.
We are harnessing the transformative power of art to give voice to the unspoken. Photography and audio have brought to life the experiences that words alone cannot capture, to reveal the hidden truths and emotions too often hidden BehinD the SilenCe.
Together, Gilead and the World Hepatitis Alliance aim to create a space where every voice matters, every story is heard, and no one has to face viral hepatitis in silence.