28 July 2024, Cairo, Egypt – “It’s Time for Action”, urges WHO’s campaign to mark World Hepatitis Day 2024. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region and globally, WHO is calling on governments and communities to intensify efforts to combat hepatitis, emphasizing the need for urgent action.
Fighting hepatitis in the Eastern Mediterranean Region raises both significant challenges and opportunities. An estimated 15 million people in the Region were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2022. And about 12 million people had chronic hepatitis C infection. These virus strains led to 97 000 deaths in the Region the same year.
Yet only 14% of people with hepatitis B in the Region know that they have it, and just 2% of the estimated 15 million cases are receiving treatment. The figures for hepatitis C are slightly better: 48% of cases are diagnosed, while 35% of the total estimated cases are being treated.
Regional coverage of the hepatitis B birth dose stands at a critical 34% – far below the global target of 90%. This immunization gap poses a serious threat to newborns. Moreover, gaps persist in blood and injection safety across some countries of the Region, contributing to new infections.
Despite many challenges, Egypt has set a remarkable example with its nationwide campaign to address hepatitis C, which screened 60 million people from 2016 to 2020. All 4.1 million people who tested positive for the infection received treatment. This initiative saw Egypt become the first country globally to achieve “gold tier” status on the path towards elimination of hepatitis C, as per WHO criteria. Pakistan is now following suit with a campaign that aims to replicate Egypt’s success.
“We must draw inspiration from Egypt’s success and from other achievements in the Region,” said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy. “I call on governments and policy-makers to ensure access to testing and treatment and make sure that safety and preventive measures are in place.”
Many promising developments are under way, including a historic agreement to reduce hepatitis medication prices for low- and middle-income countries. Meanwhile, lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic are set to enhance molecular diagnostic capabilities.
Member States have recently adopted the Regional action plan for the implementation of the global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections 2022–2030. This provides countries with a strategic framework that emphasizes testing, treatment, vaccination, and safety measures.
Ensuring access to essential medicines remains a priority and will be a focus under the upcoming regional flagship initiatives launching in 2024. “Our new regional flagship initiative on equitable access will help ensure all countries can improve treatment of viral hepatitis,” said Dr Balkhy.
The promise of reduced medicine prices and expanded diagnostic capacities offers hope on the journey towards hepatitis elimination. Vaccination also remains pivotal in preventing new infections to ensure a healthier future for the Region.
“We reaffirm our commitment to supporting all countries in maximizing these opportunities,” concluded Dr Balkhy, urging collective action towards hepatitis elimination. “I urge all Member States, partners and donors in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to take urgent action to eliminate viral hepatitis.”
Notes to editors
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents, which leads to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal. There are 5 main strains of the hepatitis virus: types A, B, C, D and E. While all cause liver disease, they differ in important ways, including modes of transmission, severity of the illness, geographical distribution, and preventive methods.
Hepatitis B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and viral hepatitis-related deaths. An estimated 354 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C. For most of them, testing and treatment remain out of reach.
Vaccination can prevent some types of hepatitis. A WHO study found that an estimated 4.5 million premature deaths could be prevented in low- and middle-income countries by 2030 through hepatitis vaccination, diagnostic tests, medicines and education campaigns. WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, endorsed by all WHO Member States, aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths from hepatitis by 65% between 2016 and 2030.
Find out more about hepatitis.
Learn about regional plans for World Hepatitis Day 2024.
