Egypt celebrates global recognition for Hepatitis C eradication

CAIRO – 26 November 2024: Egypt has successfully achieved a milestone in its fight against hepatitis C, gaining international recognition for its efforts. Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel Ghaffar announced the accomplishment during the opening of an international workshop on combating hepatitis C, held in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Minister Abdel Ghaffar welcomed delegates from the ECDC and the European Union, expressing pride in hosting the workshop for the second time this year. He emphasized that Egypt's selection as the host underscores its status as a bridge between continents and cultures and its strong commitment to supporting regional and global health initiatives.

Highlighting Egypt’s remarkable journey, the minister noted that the country transitioned from having one of the world's highest hepatitis C prevalence rates in 2015 to being declared virus-free in 2022.

This transformation was attributed to the strong political support of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the ambitious National Initiative for Early Detection and Treatment of Hepatitis C.

The initiative screened over 63 million citizens and treated more than 4 million patients, achieving this monumental feat in record time. Egypt’s comprehensive approach has made it an international model for combating chronic diseases.

Piotr Kramarz, the ECDC’s Chief Scientist, praised Egypt’s efforts as an inspiring global lesson in eliminating hepatitis C. He emphasized that Egypt's achievement demonstrates that eradicating chronic diseases is achievable with determination and effective management.

The workshop, which brings together experts from Africa and the Middle East, aims to disseminate insights from Egypt's success to help other nations replicate its model.

Minister Abdel Ghaffar expressed hope that Egypt’s journey would inspire collective action to combat hepatitis C worldwide. He underscored the importance of collaboration in providing the tools and resources necessary to eliminate the disease globally.

Kramarz concluded by stating that Egypt's achievement is proof that eliminating chronic illnesses is not just a dream but an attainable goal, laying the groundwork for sustainable global health strategies.