Gilead Sciences launches Asia Pacific All4LIVER Grant 2021

Gilead Sciences has launched the 2021 Gilead Asia Pacific ALL4LIVER Grant, a grant programme to support local communities in strengthening liver disease education efforts across Asia Pacific. This biennial grant will support community-led projects that can help improve liver health for people living in the region. The focus of 2021’s grant programme is on chronic hepatitis B under the theme, “Empowerment Through Education,” the company said in a statement.

It also said that The ALL4LIVER Grant, which will run every two years, aims to empower organisations that can help bring liver health, in particular, viral hepatitis, to the forefront of public health initiatives and address the unmet needs in the region. The programme was inspired by a regional study, conducted by Gilead, which found critical gaps in the public awareness and attitudes towards viral hepatitis.

Speaking in this regard, Alex Kalomparis, Vice President, Public Affairs, International, Gilead Sciences, said, “Liver health and particularly, viral hepatitis, remains a public health threat affecting millions of people across the Asia Pacific region. Awareness of chronic hepatitis B and actions that can be taken to improve health remain low in many communities most impacted by the disease. Through this new grant programme, we look forward to support projects that can propel regional efforts to make viral hepatitis elimination a reality.”

The statement also mentioned that hepatitis B and C affect 325 million people worldwide. Asia continues to carry a significant burden of these diseases with 178 million infections.

According to the statement, The 2021 ALL4LIVER grant cycle is open to community groups in 11 countries/territories in Asia Pacific: Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. This year’s version of the grant seeks to support projects in hepatitis B with a focus on strengthening peer support, improving awareness and health literacy, and the development of digital platforms or innovative tools for education.