Egypt Implements Successful Nationwide Program to Eliminate Hepatitis C

An integrated program screened almost 50 million residents and provided free antiviral treatment to more than 2 million HCV-infected individuals.

Egypt has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, attributed to past schistosomiasis treatment with unsafe injections. In 2018, the Ministry of Health began a program to screen for and treat HCV. To reach a target population of 62.5 million, residents were screened at multiple healthcare and other sites using a WHO-approved rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that analyzed finger-prick samples for HCV antibodies. Participation was encouraged by a massive national campaign using television, radio, text messaging, and other media. The program was supported by the Egyptian president. Officials negotiated low prices for diagnostics and treatment drugs.

Those with positive RDT results had HCV RNA levels measured with quantitative polymera…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Egypt Implements Successful Nationwide Program to Eliminate Hepatitis C

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Reviewing Author