Foundation awards $3.5 million for high-risk patients with HBV, HCV

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation awarded $3.5 million in grants to various organizations in an effort to raise awareness of early diagnosis and screening for high-risk patients with hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis C virus infection in China and India, according to a company press release.

A total of nine grants were granted through BMS Foundation’s Delivering Hope initiative, according to the release. Several of the grants will focus on raising awareness about infection transmission among health care providers, who are often considered at-risk for contracting viral hepatitis.

The following organizations in China were awarded grants: Peking University Education Foundation, Hepatitis B Foundation, Wu Jieping Medical Foundation and Inno Community Development Organization. The following organizations in India were awarded grants: All India Institute of Diabetes and Research, MAMTA, United Way of Mumbai and SAMARTH.

The World Hepatitis Alliance also was awarded a grant to fund an e-learning tool comprised of a video course and a text-based tool kit to promote viral hepatitis awareness and prevention, as well as patient advocacy and the importance of support groups, according to the release.

“Delivering Hope continues to increase its focus on HBV and HCV in China and India, the two countries that have the highest incidence of viral hepatitis worldwide,” John Damonti, president of the BMS Foundation, said in the release. “Working with the foundation’s Centers of Excellence in these countries, our grantees are using successful evidence-based practices to support the WHO’s efforts at raising awareness and prevention of viral hepatitis among the most vulnerable and high-risk populations, training the health care professionals who care for these patients and increasing vaccinations and testing, all of which continue to build health care capacity and support strong community models for hepatitis prevention and control.”