NHLDS Leads Operational Research to Eliminate Mother-to-Child Transmission of Hepatitis B.
Kampala: 28/01/2026
The Ministry of Health โ Department of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services (NHLDS), with funding from the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (COR-HEPB), has launched an operational research study aimed at identifying innovative and scalable strategies to eliminate mother-to-child (vertical) transmission of hepatitis B in Uganda.
The study will be implemented in partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the Hepatitis Aid Organisation (HAO), and will generate practical evidence to strengthen hepatitis B testing, treatment and linkage to care particularly in communities with a high burden of infection.
By focusing on what actually works at facility and community level, the study is designed to directly inform national policy and service delivery models for the prevention of hepatitis B transmission from mothers to their babies.
This week, a COR-HEPB representative, Dr. Neil Gupta, visited Uganda to strengthen collaboration with the national study team and support the co-creation of the study protocols.
During the visit, Dr. Gupta was received by the Commissioner, Dr. Susan Nabadda, the Director of National Health Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, Dr. Isaac Ssewanyana, and Dr. Linda Nabitaka from the AIDS Control Programme. He held engagements with key stakeholders and participated in field visits to Kayunga Regional Hospital to ensure that the proposed study approaches are practical, context-responsive and capable of delivering real impact for frontline health services.
This operational research directly supports Ugandaโs Triple Elimination programme, a national initiative focused on eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.
The triple elimination approach promotes integrated antenatal testing, timely treatment for pregnant women, effective follow-up of exposed infants, and strong linkage to care across the three diseases. By leveraging existing maternal, newborn and child health platforms, the programme aims to close service delivery gaps while reducing duplication and missed opportunities for diagnosis and treatment.
Under this framework, the hepatitis B operational research will specifically address persistent challenges in testing coverage, access to treatment for eligible mothers, and continuity of care for exposed infants, areas that remain critical for achieving elimination targets.
The study seeks to strengthen integrated testing and referral systems for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, while improving linkage to treatment and long-term care for mothers and children. Its findings will guide national programming and contribute to closing long-standing gaps in prevention and service delivery.
