WHO Strengthens Efforts Against Hepatitis C with Life-Saving Treatment for Rohingya Refugees!

One year after launching its “Hepatitis C Surveillance Linked to Treatment Services” initiative in March 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to enhance efforts to test for hepatitis B and C, while providing treatment for hepatitis C among Rohingya refugees. Despite the ongoing challenges in delivering humanitarian aid, this initiative offers hope to tens of thousands living with chronic hepatitis C infection, who are at risk of developing liver cancer.

While hepatitis C prevalence in the general Bangladeshi population ranges from 0.2% to 1%, studies conducted since 2019 have shown a significantly higher prevalence among the Rohingya population, ranging from 13.2% to 19.6%.  The most recent study conducted by Médecins Sans Frontières in 2023, found that approximately 20% of adult refugees were living with an active hepatitis C infection.

In response  to this emerging crisis, WHO, in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and implementing partners, with the support of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), launched a comprehensive hepatitis C surveillance initiative on March 6, 2024. This initiative integrates screening, diagnosis, and treatment, ensuring that those affected receive timely and appropriate care.

Key achievements over the past year include:

1) Scaling up access to Screening & Testing:

• 11,275 refugees screened for hepatitis B and C using rapid diagnostic tests (RDT).
• 40.5% of those screened tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies through RDT. 
• 16.2% of pregnant refugee women tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies through RDT.

A confirmed hepatitis C patient receives life-saving medication at a WHO-supported treatment centre.

Photo Credit: WHO/Terence Ngwabe Che

2) Expanding health centres providing treatment:

• Six WHO-supported treatment centres are currently operational in Cox’s Bazar, managed by implementing partners including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Save the Children International (SCI), Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
• In 2024, WHO procured medicines for 1,900 treatments and, as of February 2025, 884 people have received treatment.
• Nearly all (96.6%) of those who completed treatment have been cured, with no detectable hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in their blood 12 weeks post-treatment.
• In 2025, medicine for an additional 17,000 patients is being procured.

3) Strengthening the network of primary care services on hepatitis care:

• 106 health facilities offer RDT testing for hepatitis B and C.
• 18 health facilities across the camps serve as sentinel centers, where blood samples from RDT-positive patients are collected and sent to the WHO-supported IEDCR Field Laboratory at Cox’s Bazar Medical College for confirmatory analysis.
• Systematic data collection and patient follow-up via the WHO Early Warning, Alert, and Response System (EWARS).

4) Enhancing capacities in laboratory diagnosis and monitoring:

• WHO supports the IEDCR Field Laboratory which provides critical diagnostic services.
• WHO has distributed 26,000 RDT kits for hepatitis B and C and is procuring 50,000 additional kits for both diseases.
• 80,000 hepatitis C RNA test kits are being procured to strengthen confirmatory testing capacity.

For many refugees, early diagnosis and treatment mean a chance at a healthier future. “Before this program, I didn’t know I had hepatitis C. Now, I am receiving treatment and can care for my family,” says Amina, a Rohingya mother receiving care at a WHO-supported centre. Similarly, front-line healthcare workers are witnessing the transformation firsthand: “The demand for testing has been overwhelming. Every day, we see more people getting diagnosed early, which gives them a real chance at recovery,” shares Dr Rahman, a physician at one of the WHO-supported hepatitis C treatment centres. Recognising the ongoing threat of hepatitis C, WHO has established a Technical Task Force to coordinate resources, discuss joint initiatives, refine strategies and expand interventions.

In a significant milestone, WHO and the Government of Japan signed an agreement on February 20, 2025, to support essential health services, with a focus on hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment for the Rohingya refugees. This partnership complements the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) hepatitis C initiative in the camps and strengthens the global commitment to improving healthcare access for one of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Supporting WHO’s commitment to delivering quality care, Dr Po-Lin Chan, WHO SEARO Regional Adviser on Hepatitis, HIV and STIs, visited Cox’s Bazar to assess progress and engage with key stakeholders, including IOM, UNHCR, MSF, UNICEF, SCI and BRAC. Their discussions focused on case management for pregnant women, particularly in preventing   mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C, as well as securing additional funding to expand testing and treatment efforts.

“Scaling-up access to hepatitis C testing and treatment is a critical step toward protecting the health of Rohingya refugees. With strong partnerships and sustained efforts, we can prevent infections, save lives, and move closer to viral hepatitis elimination,” said Dr Po-Lin Chan during her visit.

WHO’s Cox’s Bazar Head of Sub-Office, Dr Jorge Martinez, urges behavioural change in the fight against hepatitis C at the IRC Treatment Centre inauguration.
Photo Credit: WHO/Terence Ngwabe Che

As WHO and its partners mark the first anniversary of this impactful initiative, their commitment remains unwavering. With ongoing dedication, resourcing, and expanded outreach, achieving the goal is within reach. This initiative is made possible through the support of the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and the Government of Japan.