Egypt Set to Become One of the First Countries to Be Declared Free of Hepatitis C
Egypt is set to become one of the first countries in the world to be declared free of hepatitis C, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) official. Naima Al-Qaseer, the WHO’s representative for Egypt, said the North African nation had submitted papers declaring it was free of the disease and an announcement would be made by the Geneva-based health organization in the coming weeks. Egypt had worked “extensively and intensively” to become free of hepatitis C through a presidential initiative known as “100 Million Healthy Lives,” which had received global praise.
Egypt’s Success in Developing Effective Medicines
According to data from the Health Ministry, Egypt has achieved a recovery rate of nearly 99 percent for hepatitis C in recent years. Its success in developing effective medicines had resulted in the cost of treatment falling to $100 per patient, from $64,000 in 2013, saving the state more than $2.5 billion. Ahmed El-Sayed, who works for the Egyptian Drug Authority, said a campaign launched in 2014 by the Egyptian government to detect and treat hepatitis C had been pivotal in the country achieving its success in defeating the disease. The government invested $442.5 million in the campaign, with a further $530 million coming from the World Bank.
The Presidential Initiative “100 Million Healthy Lives”
Egypt’s presidential initiative “100 Million Healthy Lives” aimed to detect and treat chronic diseases and viruses, including hepatitis C, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The initiative was launched in October 2018 and aimed to screen 45 million people for hepatitis C and treat those who tested positive by the end of 2020. The initiative also aimed to screen 19 million people for diabetes and high blood pressure and provide them with free treatment. The initiative was implemented through mobile clinics that traveled to remote areas of the country to reach people who could not access healthcare services.
The Impact of Hepatitis C in Egypt
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to liver cancer and cirrhosis. Egypt has one of the highest rates of hepatitis C in the world, with an estimated 10-15 percent of the population infected. The high rate of infection is due to a number of factors, including the use of contaminated needles in medical procedures, poor infection control practices, and the reuse of syringes and other medical equipment. The disease is also prevalent among people who received blood transfusions before 1992 when screening for the virus was introduced.
Egypt’s Success in Fighting Hepatitis C
Egypt’s success in fighting hepatitis C has been attributed to a number of factors, including the development of effective medicines, the implementation of a national screening and treatment program, and the political will to tackle the disease. The government’s investment in the “100 Million Healthy Lives” initiative has also been crucial in achieving the country’s success in defeating the disease.
The Cost of Treatment for Hepatitis C
The cost of treatment for hepatitis C has been a major barrier to accessing care for many people around the world. In Egypt, the cost of treatment has fallen from $64,000 in 2013 to $100 per patient, thanks to the development of effective medicines and the government’s investment in the national screening and treatment program. The low cost of treatment has made it possible for millions of people in Egypt to access care and has been a key factor in the country’s success in defeating hepatitis C.
Conclusion
Egypt’s success in becoming one of the first countries in the world to be declared free of hepatitis C is a significant achievement that has been praised by the international community. The country’s success can be attributed to a number of factors, including the development of effective medicines, the implementation of a national screening and treatment program, and the political will to tackle the disease. The low cost of treatment has also been crucial in enabling millions of people in Egypt to access care and has been a key factor in the country’s success in defeating hepatitis C. The “100 Million Healthy Lives” initiative has been pivotal in achieving this success and is an example of how political will and investment can make a significant impact on public health.