On the morning of May 16th, the first pilot project in Guangdong, the "Spark Project" for eradicating the hazards of viral hepatitis in Jun'an Town, Shunde District, Foshan City, was officially launched. The first stop began at the Zhipu Cultural and Sports Center in Hefeng Community, Jun'an Town, where local residents can now enjoy a comprehensive range of liver disease prevention and treatment services, including free testing for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, and hepatitis C antibody, as well as free initial doses of hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis management. It is understood that the Spark Project is not only a heartwarming project praised and actively participated in by local residents, but also strives to create a spreading trend, providing a new model and valuable experience of "large-scale population survey and universal treatment for patients" for promotion and reference nationwide.

The "Spark Project for Eradicating the Hazards of Viral Hepatitis" in Jun'an Town is the first pilot project in Guangdong and the second nationwide aimed at eliminating the threat of viral hepatitis and managing liver diseases throughout their full cycle. It is specifically implemented by the Jun'an Town government and the Jun'an Town Health Community. By the end of 2023, the goal is to achieve over 90% screening rates for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses among the entire population and an over 80% standardized treatment rate, as well as an over 80% hepatitis B vaccination rate for high-risk groups. Efforts will be made to reduce the new infection rates of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the entire town by 90% within three years.

During the project launch ceremony, Gao Huadong, member of the Standing Committee of the Shunde District Committee and Minister of the Organization Department, stated that the government would fully support the smooth implementation of the project, providing high-quality services, solid guarantees, and a good environment to promote the project.

Cui Gang, Vice Chairman of the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control, expressed that they will continue to actively coordinate all parties and assist the Spark Project for eradicating the hazards of viral hepatitis in Jun'an Town to deepen and solidify its implementation.

At the event, Jun'an Hospital signed a technical cooperation agreement with the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University to jointly strengthen standardized treatment and follow-up management for patients with viral hepatitis who should receive treatment.

As a manufacturer of hepatitis B vaccines, Amyson Vaccine Co., Ltd. donated 40,000 doses of hepatitis B vaccine on-site. Jia Shaojun, Executive Director, CEO, and Chief Operating Officer of Amyson Vaccine, introduced that the company ensures the supply of nearly 80% of hepatitis B vaccines for newborns nationwide, and the company has an undeniable social responsibility to eliminate the hazards of hepatitis B and implement the Healthy China strategy. In the future, Amyson will fully support the implementation and deepening of the Spark Project and make a proper contribution to controlling the spread of the hepatitis B virus and ultimately eliminating hepatitis B with high-quality hepatitis B vaccines.

Hepatitis B virus is a carcinogen, and high replication of hepatitis B is an important factor influencing the occurrence of liver cancer. The higher the viral load and hepatitis B surface antigen level, the higher the risk of liver cancer. Therefore, preventing hepatitis B virus infection is crucial in preventing cirrhosis and liver cancer. In this sense, the hepatitis B vaccine is a powerful tool for preventing liver cancer.

At the event, He Yunyi, a resident of Hefeng Community in Jun'an Town, mobilized her entire family, neighbors, and children to participate in the screening at the event site and proactively receive the hepatitis B vaccine. She stated that most children nowadays have been vaccinated against hepatitis B at birth, but some elderly and middle-aged people in her family have either been vaccinated or have had their antibody levels decay. “Therefore, this event is very meaningful, providing an additional guarantee for the health of the entire family, allowing us to have a higher quality of life”.