As part of its Delivering Hope™ program, Bristol-Myers Squibb has awarded four new grants totaling $1.69 million to improve prevention, care, and support of HBV and HCV in China and India. China and India account for almost 50% of all hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections worldwide, having an estimated 123 million people chronically infected with HBV and 59 million people chronically infected with HCV.
The recipients of the new grants are long-term partners of Delivering Hope™. Organizations and projects receiving support are China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control, HOPE Initiative, Liver Foundation West Bengal, and a coalition that includes the United Way of Mumbai, the National Liver Foundation, and AmeriCares India.
China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control will receive $401,687 over three years to create a HBV and HCV patient empowerment model to enhance patients’ ability to manage their disease. HOPE Initiative will receive $355,694 over three years to create a HCV patient support network and conduct studies to explore the effectiveness of blood donation and transfusion regulations. Liver Foundation West Bengal will receive $539,035 to develop comprehensive interventions for patients who have HBV or HCV and comorbid non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and fatty liver disease. United Way of Mumbai, the National Liver Foundation and AmeriCares India will receive $389,464 over two years for efforts targeted at the prevention and care of HBV and HCV in pregnant women and women of childbearing age.