FIRE and the Ulaanbaator Rotary Club worked with the Health Center of Saga University, Japan to organize a training for the nation's first "Hepatitis Coordinators" in Töv province. A visiting specialist from Saga University trained 108 participants including health care workers, social workers, and health insurance inspectors from across Töv province. This was a pilot training program aimed at creating awareness and increasing participation in the national "Healthy Liver" program.

The Government of Mongolia launched the national "Healthy Liver" program in May 2017. Since its launch, only 47% of those eligible for free testing have voluntarily participated. Of those who have been screened, less than 35% of those who tested positive for hepatitis C have followed through on getting treatment.

Participation in screening activities for viral hepatitis and follow-up examinations and anti-viral treatment need to be improved across Mongolia to stay on target for eliminating hepatitis C by 2020. The best way to accomplish this is to share basic information about viral hepatitis with the general population, encouraging people to get tested and treated. The hepatitis coordinators will work closely with local health care facilities to educate the community one-on-one, person-to-person directing them to be tested and assisting them with treatment.

The training of 108 professionals in Tov province to be Hepatitis Coordinations. Click the photo to view a photo album of the training.