In cooperation with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Mongolian Academy of Medical Sciences and the Mongolian Ministry of Health, FIRE initiated an effort to study the prevalence of blood borne viruses among 1,000 urban, suburban and rural health care workers in Mongolia. NIH scientifically studied the relationship between Mongolians and Hepatitis B, C and D, using cutting-edge technology to provide previously unavailable information to the Mongolian health sector for the treatment and prevention of viruses—specifically hepatitis. The study’s results provided insight into transmittable infections.

This study gained the professional expertise and support of leading hepatitis researchers from within NIH, such as Dr. Harvey Alter, who co-discovered the hepatitis B vaccine and led the research team that identified hepatitis C, and Dr. Stefano Bertuzzi, one of the top administrators in the Office of the Director at NIH and advisor to the US President. Dr. Samuel So, Stanford University Liver Cancer Surgeon, President of the Asian Liver Center and special advisor to WHO on viral hepatitis, also advised on this program.

FIRE hopes that the data created from this project will provide a resource from which to form health policy and develop strategies for increasing awareness, prevention, detection, and treatment of health care workers.

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