Summary & Key Points
"On October 11, 2024, the launch workshop for Phase 1 of the SIMBADE clinical trial brought together experts to simplify the management of hepatitis B in Côte d'Ivoire, outside of Greater Abidjan."
On October 11, 2024, the launch workshop for Phase 1 of the SIMBADE clinical trial was held in the Thérèse N’dri-Yoman room at the PAC-CI research center. The primary goal of this trial is to simplify the care and follow-up of people living with the hepatitis B virus in regions of Côte d’Ivoire outside Greater Abidjan.
The event was attended by Prof. Emile Allah-Kouadio, Director-Coordinator of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (PNLHV); Dr. Raoul Moh, Executive Director of the PAC-CI Program; Dr. Anani Badjé, Director of Operations for the PAC-CI Program; Mr. Yoman Yao Boniface, President of the NGO “SOS Hépatites Côte d’Ivoire”; and researchers from the University of Bordeaux (led by Dr. Antoine Jaquet, Principal Investigator of the project), ANRS-MIE (France), Cheikh Anta Diop University (Senegal), and PAC-CI. The purpose of the meeting was to present this phase of the project, which focuses on the “feasibility and acceptability study in Côte d’Ivoire,” to the various partners.
Prof. Emile Allah-Kouadio, Director-Coordinator of Côte d’Ivoire’s PNLHV
In his remarks, the Director-Coordinator of the PNLHV presented on “Achievements and Challenges in the Fight Against Viral Hepatitis in Côte d’Ivoire,” outlining the epidemiological situation of hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E) in the country, with a particular focus on hepatitis B and C. He described these as a “deadly epidemic,” a major public health threat requiring the mobilization of policymakers, health authorities, researchers, communities, and community leaders and workers.
He noted that hepatitis B has a prevalence of 9%, while hepatitis C has a prevalence of 3.3%, compared to an HIV prevalence of 1.82%. The alarming situation of hepatitis B has led the WHO to call for global mobilization to eliminate it by 2030. Despite technical and financial efforts by the government to improve access to treatment for hepatitis B and C, the means to enable the PNLHV to be more effective in screening, treating, and following patients remain insufficient.
Mr. Yoman Y. Boniface of “SOS Hépatites Côte d’Ivoire” echoed these concerns, emphasizing the actions (awareness campaigns, information dissemination, and free screening tests) his organization undertakes in close collaboration with the PNLHV and with technical support from PAC-CI to combat viral hepatitis effectively. He noted that the challenges in some areas—such as the high cost of screening tests, vaccination coverage, and patient care and follow-up—make the SIMBADE project a real opportunity for patient associations. The trial’s results could significantly contribute to discussions on the impact of expanded antiviral treatment for hepatitis B in the context of recent WHO revisions to treatment initiation criteria for people living with the hepatitis B virus (PLWHB).
Dr. Maëlle de Seze, Researcher at the University of Bordeaux
Following his presentation, other communications were delivered, including those by Dr. Antoine Jaquet and Dr. Maëlle de Seze (from the University of Bordeaux), who provided an overview of the project and explained the key components of Phase 1 (methodology, tools, target groups, study sites, and timeline).
Phase 1 will assess the feasibility and acceptability of a simplified strategy for initiating antiviral treatment, with or without a community intervention (involving community health workers in decentralized care and follow-up of PLWHB) in Côte d’Ivoire. To achieve this goal, field visits will be conducted across the country in decentralized areas.
Participants agreed to reconvene in February–March 2025 to present the results of Phase 1 and prepare for Phase 2 of the SIMBADE project.
