COLDA 2022: Transforming Liver Health in Africa Through Collaboration and Scientific Exchange

JHNews || The Conference on Liver Disease in Africa (COLDA) 2022, held from September 29 to October 1, 2022, in Cape Town, South Africa, brought together leading experts, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers to address one of Africa’s most pressing public health challenges: liver disease.

Organized by the SHARE Global Health Foundation and Academic Medical Education in close collaboration with regional societies, this 5th edition of COLDA reinforced its mission: advancing and disseminating the science and practice of hepatology through education, research, collaboration, and consensus-building.

A United Front Against Liver Disease
Liver disease remains a significant health burden across the African continent, largely driven by viral hepatitis, alcohol misuse, and inadequate access to timely diagnosis and treatment. COLDA 2022 aimed to create a collaborative platform for professionals to exchange the latest scientific knowledge, share best practices, and develop actionable strategies to improve patient outcomes.

“We are building more than a conference. We are building a community of clinicians, scientists, and policymakers committed to transforming liver health in Africa,” emphasized Professor Manal Hamdy El-Sayed, Program Chair and Professor at Ain Shams University, Egypt.

Professor Mark Nelson, Co-Chair from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital/Imperial College Medical School, United Kingdom, echoed this sentiment, noting that empowering healthcare professionals with the latest evidence-based knowledge is essential for improving treatment outcomes.

COLDA’s Core Objectives
The conference outlined clear goals to drive the fight against liver disease in Africa:

• Gather Experts Across Africa – Bringing together specialists in research, diagnosis, and treatment of liver diseases in an interactive conference setting.

• Tailor Solutions to Local Needs – Discussing diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative strategies suited to regional realities, and translating best practices into actionable guidelines and policies.

• Contribute to Hepatitis Elimination – Supporting global and regional efforts to eliminate hepatitis through education, prevention, and treatment strategies.

• Apply Global Research Locally – Leveraging international study findings and updates from major medical meetings to develop effective, localized approaches to combat liver diseases.

• Promote Collaboration – Facilitating robust dialogue through interactive sessions and networking receptions to encourage knowledge exchange.

• Build Lasting Partnerships – Fostering interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to sustain progress in combating liver disease across the continent.

Strategic Priorities for Action
The conference spotlighted four overarching priorities to improve patient care for liver disease in Africa:

1. Raising Public Awareness – Increasing education on prevention, early detection, and treatment of liver diseases through media campaigns and community outreach.

2. Strengthening Healthcare Systems – Expanding access to specialized care by training more hepatologists and gastroenterologists, decentralizing diagnostic services, and ensuring a steady supply of essential medicines and equipment.

3. Improving Surveillance and Research – Investing in data collection and research to better understand the epidemiology and burden of liver diseases across Africa, while standardizing screening and monitoring practices.

4. Advocating for Policy and Funding – Engaging policymakers, donors, and civil society to prioritize liver health in national agendas, mobilize resources, and ensure transparent implementation of interventions.

Scientific Excellence and Collaboration
COLDA 2022 was designed as a high-impact, abstract-driven conference, featuring keynote speeches, state-of-the-art lectures, oral and poster presentations, roundtable discussions, and debates. With ample time for interaction, participants had the opportunity to exchange insights on the latest developments in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of liver disease.

Local Chair Professor Wendy Spearman, from the University of Cape Town, underscored the importance of regional collaboration: “Our strength lies in working together, sharing resources, and tailoring solutions to the unique African context.”

Looking Ahead to COLDA 2023
As COLDA prepares for its 6th edition in 2023, the momentum continues. With the support of the SHARE Global Health Foundation, Academic Medical Education, and regional partners, the conference remains a vital catalyst for translating science into clinical practice.

The goal is clear: to ensure that all healthcare professionals in Africa are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and collaborative networks necessary to improve liver health and patient care.

About SHARE Global Health Foundation
The SHARE Global Health Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to advancing global health by sharing expertise and implementing evidence-based knowledge internationally. The foundation focuses on innovative educational programs to empower physicians, communities, and stakeholders, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to improve healthcare services and policies.

Through COLDA and other initiatives, SHARE continues to play a pivotal role in building capacity and fostering progress in the fight against liver disease across Africa.