StITCH partners share Philippine hepatitis care experience at World Hepatitis Summit
Philippine partners shared research and local experience from StITCH at the World Hepatitis Summit in Bangkok.
At the World Hepatitis Summit in Bangkok on 28–30 April 2026, StITCH and its partners shared what they are learning about bringing hepatitis care into everyday health services.
The team contributed six posters and three oral presentations, covering patient experience, stigma, frontline provider support, and the journey from testing to treatment. The Philippine delegation included UP Manila NIH, the Quezon City Health Department, the Department of Health, and the Yellow Warriors Society of the Philippines.
Assistant Professor Jhaki Mendoza presented findings on stigma and patient experiences in Tarlac. Rolly Cruz shared Quezon City’s experience reaching underserved people in closed-setting facilities. Bethany Holt presented patient-reported experiences of integrated care in the Philippines and Viet Nam.
A StITCH satellite session also brought patients, providers, and policymakers into the discussion. Speakers included Jose Gerard Belimac of the Department of Health and Imee Lacson of the Yellow Warriors Society of the Philippines.
Across these contributions, the focus was on how local health systems can connect screening with assessment, treatment, and continuing support—and what patients and frontline teams need to make that work.
About StITCH
StITCH brings hepatitis B and C services into public primary care in the Philippines and Viet Nam. In the Philippines, UP Manila works with local government and health teams in Tarlac and Quezon City, alongside international, clinical, and community partners, with support from Gilead Sciences.