Dr Tongai Gibson Maponga

Research

I am interested in research on viral hepatitis in general but with particular focus on chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) because it is the most common cause of HCC in sub-Saharan African countries, including South Africa. HBV infection is vaccine-preventable and its long-term complications are avoidable if infected patients are diagnosed and treated early. Unfortunately, this is yet to be realized, particularly in Africa because of inadequate health policies, lack of knowledge, and limited access to therapy. 

My focus is to conduct quality and impactful research to provide information on the burden of infection with viral hepatitis (HBV) to advocate for health policy changes where necessary, using an epidemiological approach to understand that burden of the infection and its associated complications. Together with my colleagues, we also use molecular biology techniques to characterize the virus.