Egypt to be free from Hepatitis C in a year: Minister of Health

CAIRO – 16 September 2017: Minister of Health and Population Dr. Ahmed Rady stressed on Saturday that Egypt has become the world's target in the treatment of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) after great efforts in providing free treatment for patients, pointing out that 1.3 million patients have been treated in a year and a half, and waiting lists for patients are being eliminated for the first time.

"Egypt will become free of the Hepatitis C virus during this year, and the cost of treatment is less than America by one in a thousand. Now we are searching for patients in villages and towns to have treatment for free," Dr. Rady stated.

Since 2014, Egypt has increased the services provided to eliminate HCV following President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi’s initiative to treat 1 million HCV-infected patients annually. In 2014, a number of Egyptian companies started manufacturing local medications similar to Sovaldi to increase the chances of survival among infected patients by 90 percent.

Furthermore, Egypt provided all local and international medications through the medical insurance and established treatment centers for patients in various governorates. The state also encouraged civil society organizations to provide services to HCV patients.

Egypt has successfully treated Hepatitis C patients with a locally-manufactured version of an imported Hepatitis C medicine called Solvadi, said Sherif Rashed, a member in the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association.

He said that the Egyptian versions of Harvoni and Magicbuvir Plus medications, with European manufacturing criteria, will be released in Egypt very soon.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Egypt is ranked as the nation with the highest rate of Hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis C is transmitted through unexamined blood transfusions, multiple uses of syringes, reusing medical equipment, poor sterilization and sexual intercourse, according to the WHO.