Hepatitis B/D Prevention
Maternal screening & mother-to-child transmission prevention
Nearly one in three expectant mothers tested at Kiribati’s national referral hospital carries hepatitis B. Timely screening and birth-dose vaccination can interrupt transmission.
The Need
Studies place hepatitis B prevalence in Kiribati at 15–23%, with roughly 30% of expectant mothers testing positive at the national referral hospital. Hepatitis B/D co-infection can rapidly accelerate cirrhosis and liver failure, and transmission at birth can create lifelong infection.
The intervention is well established: screen during pregnancy, provide antiviral prophylaxis when indicated, and administer a birth-dose vaccine within 24 hours. The challenge on remote islands is last-mile delivery—cold-chain storage, timing, records and reliable access.
The Program
Oceans of Gratitude is developing a village-level screening and immunization program with local providers.
- Maternal screeningHepatitis testing during pregnancy, coordinated with maternal-health programs.
- Antiviral prophylaxisFor mothers who test positive when clinically indicated.
- Birth-dose vaccinationReliable vaccination within 24 hours, plus catch-up immunization for children.
- Cold-chain & trainingStorage, records and provider training to make delivery reliable between missions.
Annual Funding
- $8–15KScreening kits and antiviral prophylaxis
- $7–15KVaccination and cold-chain equipment
- $5–10KVillage-level provider training
- $2–5KRecords and registry integration
- $3–5KVillage outreach and education
- $25–50KTotal annual program
Ways to Help
- Any amountSupport screening, prophylaxis and timely vaccination
- $10,000Fund village-level provider training
- $50,000Run the full program for one year
To direct your gift to this program, note the program name with your donation.
2026 — Program designed. The village-level screening and birth-dose model is ready to launch with funding.