A senior public health specialist has been recognised on the international stage for his contribution to the fight against viral hepatitis, with Dr Siale ‘Ataonga Hausia named one of the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination’s 2026 Elimination Champions.
The award acknowledges individuals whose leadership has accelerated efforts to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Image: WHO
The Coalition announced the 2026 recipients last week as part of its annual recognition programme, highlighting leaders whose work has strengthened national policies, expanded access to testing and treatment, and advanced progress towards the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.
The recognition highlights Dr Hausia’s commitment to expanding hepatitis B prevention, testing and treatment access in the Kingdom of Tonga, including some of the country’s most remote island communities.
Serving as Officer in Charge of Princess Fusipala Hospital in Pangai, Ha’apai, Dr Hausia has travelled by fishing boat for hours to deliver healthcare services across the Ha’apai island group. His work reflects the challenges faced by Pacific health professionals working to provide equitable care across widely scattered island communities.
Dr Hausia said his commitment to hepatitis elimination was shaped by seeing the impact of the disease on people close to him.
“I had witnessed family members, friends and colleagues who passed away from Hepatitis B leaving behind their families and loved ones as they were not aware or not on treatment,” he said.
Through partnerships with HepB Free and Global Health New Zealand, Dr Hausia has led a door-to-door hepatitis B screening campaign that reached more than 4,000 people. The programme identified more than 160 people living with hepatitis B and connected them with further diagnostic assessment, ongoing monitoring and treatment.
Dr Hausia said people living with hepatitis B in Tonga should seek testing and care.
“Be Ha’apai, a.k.a. Be happy, there is still hope for you,” he said. “Get tested as we have treatment protocols for you in place.”
The global recognition comes as countries work towards the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. For Tonga, Dr Hausia’s work demonstrates the importance of community-based approaches in reaching vulnerable populations.
The honour comes as Tonga continues to advocate for stronger international cooperation on health. At the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva earlier this year, Tongan representatives emphasised the need for equitable financing, resilient health systems and regional collaboration to meet emerging public health challenges.
According to the World Health Organization, viral hepatitis remains a major global health challenge, with hundreds of millions of people living with chronic hepatitis B or C worldwide.
Global health leaders say sustained political commitment, expanded testing and access to effective treatment will be essential if countries are to achieve elimination targets by the end of the decade.
