Regional Validation Committee for Hepatitis B control/elimination and EMTCT (HIV, HBV, Syphilis) declared that Egypt has achieved the Heptitis-b control

Date and venue: 15-17 December 2024 - Cairo, Egypt

Participants: RVC chair and members, Officials form MOH of 9 countries, WHO (HQ, EMRO, CO) and CDC

Overview: The purpose is to review and align WHO EMRO's Hepatitis B control verification guide with global elimination targets and review the progress report of Egypt on Hepatitis B
Details: (200 words)
In December 2024, WHO EMRO successfully held two critical meetings in Cairo, Egypt, to drive regional efforts toward hepatitis B control and elimination.

The events reviewed Egypt's progress report and validated that Egypt has achieved the Hepatitis B control. Egypt is the first country in the region to achieve the Hepatitis B control which indicates mainly that the country has achieved a prevalence of HbsAg less than 1% among children above 5 year.

In addition, the Regional Validation Committee (RVC) endorsed the revised regional guidelines to align with WHO’s global triple elimination goals for hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis, ensuring countries have a streamlined framework for validation.

During the workshop, representatives from nine countries, including Egypt, Iran, Morroco and six Gulf states, the participants were briefed on the validation process, tools for documenting progress, and key technical support requirements. Every country has developed roadmaps and action plan to achieve the hepatitis B control and elimination and submit the required documents for validation.

The meetings enhanced regional cooperation, strengthened country preparedness, and finalized a framework to guide progress toward eliminating hepatitis B by 2030.

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Author: Messeret Eshetu Shibeshi, Quamrul Hasan, Mohammed Osama Mere, World Health Organization/Eastern Mediterranean Region
Photo: WHO EMRO