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 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, National 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, 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 workshop was to present this phase of the project, which focuses on the “feasibility and acceptability study in Côte d’Ivoire,” to the various partners.
After welcoming the guests and highlighting the theme and its relevance to the Ivorian context, Dr. Moh expressed his gratitude, on behalf of the Executive Board, to Prof. Allah-Kouadio for his personal and professional commitment to PAC-CI’s hepatitis-related projects.
Prof. Emile Allah-Kouadio, National Coordinator of the PNLHV in Côte d’Ivoire
Taking the floor, the PNLHV National Coordinator presented his talk 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 immediately described them as a “deadly epidemic,” a major public health threat requiring the mobilization of policymakers, health authorities, researchers, communities, and community leaders and agents.
He noted that hepatitis B has a prevalence of 9%, while hepatitis C has a prevalence of 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. Despite the technical and financial efforts made 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.
Yoman Y. Boniface of “SOS Hépatites Côte d’Ivoire” echoed these concerns, emphasizing the actions (awareness-raising, information dissemination, and free screening tests) his association carries out in close collaboration with the PNLHV and with technical support from PAC-CI to effectively combat viral hepatitis. He noted that the challenges in some areas—such as the high cost of screening tests, vaccination of populations, and ensuring care and follow-up for patients—make the SIMBADE project a real opportunity for patient associations. The results of this clinical trial could make a major contribution to discussions on the impact of expanded antiviral treatment for hepatitis B in the context of recent WHO revisions to the criteria for initiating treatment in people living with the hepatitis B virus (PLHIV).
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 key components of Phase 1 (methodology, tools, target groups, study sites, and timeline).
Regarding this first phase, it is important to note that experts 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 the care and follow-up of PLHIV in decentralized settings) in Côte d’Ivoire. To achieve this goal, several field visits will be conducted across the country, particularly in decentralized areas.
Finally, participants agreed to meet in February–March 2025 to present the results of Phase 1 and prepare for Phase 2 of the SIMBADE project.
