Breaking the hold of viral hepatitis

Despite the achievements over the past 30 years in China to reduce chronic hepatitis B in children under 5, many adults still suffer from chronic hepatitis infection. Viral hepatitis can be prevented, diagnosed, treated and even cured, but testing and treatment rates remain low.  Without treatment, up to a third of people chronically infected with hepatitis may develop life-threatening illnesses, such as cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.

The global community set targets to reach by 2030 for hepatitis as 90% of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infections are diagnosed and 80% of eligible patients are on treatment. 

To support China in reaching these targets, WHO China is:

• working with the National Healthcare Security Administration to advocate for  increased access to affordable drugs;
• raising awareness among the general public and reducing stigma;
• providing strategic advice for policy improvement and action planning;
• defining integrated service delivery models (including HIV, NCD, PMTCT and blood safety);
• strengthening strategic information and patient monitoring systems; and
• helping the government to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis (triple elimination).