Egypt Leads the Way in Eradicating Hepatitis C: A Global Health Pioneer

In 2023, Egypt was hailed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first country to be on track to completely eradicate hepatitis C by 2030. This remarkable achievement was led by Dr. Khaled Kabil, who has been fighting against the viral infection since 2006 as head of the National Committee for Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis.

Under Kabil’s leadership, Egypt launched a nationwide testing and treatment campaign that brought the prevalence of hepatitis C in the country down to below 1%. One of the keys to this success was the availability of affordable antiviral drugs, which Egypt obtained through a discounted deal and manufactured locally for even less. Kabil also established 150 treatment centers across Egypt, providing care to millions of people.

Egypt’s success in combating hepatitis C has been so significant that it has begun donating antiviral drugs to other African nations in an effort to extend its impact beyond its borders and contribute to global health efforts on a larger scale. Through these initiatives, Egypt is not only improving the health and well-being of its own population but also playing a crucial role in advancing public health on a global scale.