VHOP Background Image

VIRAL HEPATITIS OUTREACH PROGRAM (VHOP)

The VHOP Community Outreach Event is a flagship health initiative that brings together schools, health professionals, and local communities to promote healthier living. It is designed to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and the community by offering education, preventive care, and free medical services in a friendly and accessible way.

The event serves as a platform to:

  • Educate the public, especially young people, on vital health topics such as hepatitis awareness, prevention, and the importance of early intervention.
  • Engage the wider community through interactive activities, including seminars, radio talks and interview, school competitions, and outreach programs.
  • Extend essential medical services such as screenings, vaccinations, and health counselling to those who may otherwise face barriers to access.

At its heart, VHOP Community Outreach is more than just a one-day event; it is part of a growing movement to nurture healthier communities, reduce the burden of preventable diseases, and inspire collective responsibility for public health and inspire volunteerism.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

INTER-JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL QUIZ & SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE

As part of outreach activities, VHOP organizes Quiz and Debate Competition to engage and educate young people on health and wellness. The quiz challenges students’ knowledge on hepatitis, general health, and lifestyle practices while fostering teamwork, confidence, and critical thinking. Beyond the competition, it empowered participants to become health ambassadors in their schools and communities, spreading awareness among their peers.

2025: La-Dade Kotopon municipality
2024: Ga-East Municipality

FREE SCREENING  & VACCINATION

The outreach offers free medical screening to community members, giving them the opportunity to check for hepatitis and other common health conditions. The exercise helps many people know their health status, receive counseling, and take timely steps toward prevention or treatment. As part of preventive care, the program provides free hepatitis B vaccinations to individuals. This initiative aims to protect the community against the disease, reduce future health risks, and encourage wider uptake of immunization as a vital tool for long-term wellness.

2025: Kasoa Old Station
2024: Dome Block Factory, Kyebi, Teiman
2021: University of Ghana, Legon

NEWS

TEAM

Professor Kwadwo Asamoah Kusi

Co-chair, Viral Hepatitis Outreach Program

Associate Professor of Immunology

Head of Department, Immunology, NMIMR

Professor Kofi Humphrey Bonney

Co-chair, Viral Hepatitis Outreach Program

Associate Professor of Virology

Head of Department, Virology, NMIMR

Ebenezer Adjei-Gati, BS.c, MS.c

Executive Committee Lead (Media, Finance)

Content Manager, Viral Hepatitis Outreach Program

Biomedical Research Assistant, NMIMR

Rafiatu Abdul-Mumin, BS.c

Executive Committee Lead (Quiz & Debate)

Biomedical Research Assistant, NMIMR

Courage Siame, BS.c
Executive Committee Co-Lead (Publicity)
Biomedical Research Assistant
NMIMR

Cecilia Adwoa Biaa Yankey, BS.c
Executive Committee Co-Lead (Publicity)
Biomedical Research Assistant
NMIMR

ARCHIVES

  • June 2020 – Ethical clearance obtained from the NMIMR Legon and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Ethical/Institutional Review Boards

  • July 2020 – Project initialization Zoom meeting for HEPMAL held
  • September 2020 – Students, 2 at the PhD and 2 at Masters levels, as well as research and field assistants successfully enrolled on the project
  • September 2020 – Visit to Korle Bu by the Noguchi HEPMAL team for preparatory work and familiarization
  • September 2020 – Hepatitis B vaccinations of project staff administered
  • October 2020 – Successful recruitment of first volunteers
  • Laboratory trials of various assays underway
  • Procurement of some consumables and supplies done, others on-going
  • March 2021: Month 6 progress meeting held. Theme: Hepatitis B, Malaria and the Liver Battleground
  • July 2021: HEPMAL-organized World Hepatitis Day 2021 event held, with free screening and vaccinations. Hep Can’t Wait!
  • August 2021: Donation of items to Liver Clinic, Korle Bu
  • September 2021: Successful exit of first volunteer after 1 year follow up period
  • June 2023: HEPMAL’s Year 3 progress meeting held at NMIMR.
  • July 2023: Schools Health Quiz Competition on Hepatitis series organized at La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipality as part of WHD 2023 activities
  • July 2023:‘World Hepatitis Day 2023 event’ at Madina STC yard in Accra
  • July 2024: Schools Health Quiz Competition series at Police Model School (Ga-East Municipality) as part of WHD 2023 activities
  • July 2024: Radio Tour on Radio Univers at the University of Ghana on Hepatitis sensitization and awareness creation
  • July 2024: Schools Debate Competition at Delcam SHS (La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipality)
  • July 2024: Hepatitis Screening at NMIMR for the final
  • July 2024: Hepatitis Screening at Kyebi at Okyeman Medical Caravan
  • July 2024: ‘World Hepatitis Day 2024 event’ at Dome Block Factory in Accra
  • August 2024: Hepatitis Screening at Teiman-Okponkpo in partnership with the Landlords and Residents’ Association

SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

For enquiries and sponsorship please reach out to us on whd@noguchi.ug.edu.gh