Egypt has etched its name in medical history by becoming the first country worldwide to receive the World Health Organization’s Gold Tier certification for its successful elimination of hepatitis C (HCV). The recognition, unveiled by Vice Prime Minister and Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, underscores the sweeping impact of the national “100 Million Healthy Lives” initiative, which mobilized mass screening and treatment across the country.
Journey to Zero
Less than a decade ago, Egypt grappled with one of the world’s highest HCV prevalence rates—reaching up to 10%. Now, thanks to a combination of political will, innovative public health strategy, and domestic drug manufacturing, the virus’s presence has been almost entirely eradicated. The WHO confirmed the country had diagnosed 87% of people living with hepatitis C and treated 93%, far exceeding the threshold for Gold Tier status, which requires diagnosing at least 80% and treating 70%.
Launched in 2014 under presidential leadership, the “100 Million Healthy Lives” campaign screened over 60 million Egyptians and successfully treated more than 4 million individuals with curative antiviral therapies (Ahram Online). Key components included widespread public awareness campaigns, infection-control protocols, and rapid scaling of diagnostic infrastructure, as well as the local production of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) priced under $50 per treatment.
Promoting Public Health Future
Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar described the achievement as a “model strategy” for strengthening health systems and aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. The approach has served as a template for rolling out similar initiatives in over 40 African and Asian countries, including partnerships to share diagnostic tools, training, and treatment regimens .
Homegrown Innovation
A pivotal factor was Egypt’s development of locally manufactured generic DAAs, significantly lowering the cost of treatment while maintaining high standards of quality and efficacy. This not only made widespread treatment affordable, but also enabled the country to assist other nations in their HCV elimination efforts. Egypt has already supported multiple African countries through capacity-building and medicine donations.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Egypt’s public health transformation as “every bit historic,” pointing to its rapid decline in new infections—from 300 per 100,000 people in 2014 to just 9 per 100,000 by 2022 .
Eliminating Hepatitis C
While Egypt’s Gold Tier certification brings global recognition, health leaders stress that the fight is not over. Plans are underway to sustain surveillance, improve virus prevention, and expand hepatitis screening and harm reduction programs. The goal now is full elimination by 2030 .
As one of the world’s largest public health interventions, Egypt’s campaign stands as a powerful example of how political commitment, scientific rigor, and community engagement can achieve what once seemed impossible. It’s a testament not merely to national triumph, but to the potential for coordinated healthcare efforts to transform lives across borders.
