‘12 Asks’

The World Hepatitis Alliance and patient groups around the world are asking national governments to sign up to ‘12 Asks’.

The ‘12 Asks’ are a series of requests for governments to ensure that hepatitis B and C is being tackled in their country. It is also a useful, structured lobbying tool for patient groups. A number of patient groups have used the ‘12 Asks’ to engage their governments.

In 2011, to reflect a number of developments including the passing of the WHO resolution, the ‘12 Asks’ were updated. The updated ‘12 Asks’ are available below and can be used as the basis for discussions with your government about what should be contained in a national strategy. 

The '12 Asks' are:

1. Promotion of World Hepatitis Day as the focus for ongoing campaigns which are committed to increasing disease awareness, reducing stigma and promoting prevention.
2. Appointment of an individual to lead government strategy nationally.
3. Development of an integrated approach for screening, diagnosis, referral and treatment, using the policies, strategies and tools recommended by the World Health Organization.
4. Commitment to increase the number of persons diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and C infections.
5. Commitment to reduce hepatitis-related mortality, incorporating time-bound goals.
6. Commitment to increase surveillance and publish national statistics.
7. Commitment to work with patient groups in policy design and implementation.
8. Commitment to examine cases of best practice internationally in designing and implementing programmes.
9. Provision of affordable and confidential testing.
10. Inclusion of hepatitis B vaccine in national immunization programme, including birth dose provision.
11. Commitment to safe healthcare, including the promotion and enabling of safe injection practices and the strengthening of the safety of blood and blood products.
12. Strengthening of efforts to protect, diagnose and treat migrant and vulnerable populations.

If you are a patient group engaging with government as part of the ’12 Asks’ initiative, we would like to hear about your experiences. Please contact the World Hepatitis Alliance at contact@worldhepatitisalliance.org.