Hepatitis C elimination – Macro-elimination

Abstract

In 2016 the WHO set a goal to obtain an 80% reduction in new chronic HCV cases, requiring a level of diagnosis of 90%, treatment coverage of 80% and resulting in a 65% reduction in HCV-related deaths by 2030. This goal is easier to reach in specific populations such as people who inject drugs (PWID), men who have sex with men (MSM) or blood-transfusion recipients before screening for HCV became mandatory and in high-income regions. It is much more difficult to achieve macro-elimination throughout the population especially in low-income areas with underdeveloped infrastructures, a high prevalence of HCV and limited economic resources. To achieve the WHO goals by 2030, awareness of HCV must increase and the cascade of care must be improved and implemented. Diagnostic procedures and treatment should be affordable and universally available. At the end of 2017 fewer than 15 countries were on track to reach these goals by 2030.