Governments on Track to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis by 2030

194 of the World Hepatitis Alliance's (WHA) 230 member States last week made a commitment to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.

At the 69^th World Health Assembly, governments voted to adopt the first ever Global Viral Hepatitis Strategy, signalling the greatest global commitment in viral hepatitis to date.

The Strategy sets a goal of eliminating hepatitis B and C by 2030 and includes a set of prevention and treatment targets which, if reached, will reduce annual deaths by 65% and increase treatment to 80%, saving 7.1 million lives globally by 2030.

Worldwide viral hepatitis kills 1.4 million people every year - more than HIV or malaria, and are among the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and cancer. With vaccines and effective treatments for hepatitis B and a cure for hepatitis C available, the targets outlined in the strategy are feasible and eliminating hepatitis by 2030 is achievable.

WHA commented that although the adoption of the strategy demonstrates considerable political will, more work will be needed to make the elimination of viral hepatitis a reality. As of February 2016, 36 countries had viral hepatitis national plans in place and 33 had plans in development. That means 125 WHO Member States don't have national strategies to tackle this global killer. A dramatic scale up in resources and prioritization is vital.

On World Hepatitis Day (July 28, 2016), WHA, a patient-led and patient driven NGO, will launch NOhep, the first global movement aimed at galvanizing support toward the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.