Egypt's groundbreaking Hepatitis Program, famously known as the “100 Million Healthier Lives” campaign, has emerged as a model for countries across Africa, a testament to innovative public health strategies. In a notable achievement, Egypt is set to become the first nation to receive Gold-tier certification in 2024 for its efforts to eliminate Hepatitis C, marking a historic milestone in healthcare across the continent.

Viral hepatitis is an urgent public health crisis in Africa, with its impacts rivaling those of major diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Africa CDC launched a collaborative initiative in September 2022 with Egypt's Ministry of Health to refine training programs for healthcare professionals aimed at controlling and eliminating viral hepatitis.

In August 2023, a second cohort of training was initiated, which equipped health experts from six African Union member states—including Ghana, Chad, South Sudan, Cameroon, Angola, and Senegal—with essential skills for implementing effective “screen-and-treat” programs for Hepatitis C. So far, 26 experts have been trained, and the momentum is building.

From November 10 to 14, 2024, a third training session unfolded in Cairo at the Princess Fatma Academy. This event gathered 31 representatives from diverse countries such as Algeria, Uganda, and Nigeria, all climbing aboard the critical initiative to strengthen viral hepatitis elimination strategies.

“This training is about leveraging Egypt’s wealth of experience in combating viral hepatitis to create actionable guidance for other African Union member states,” remarked Mohammed Abdulaziz, Head of the Africa CDC Division of Disease Control and Prevention. “It embodies the spirit of South-South cooperation, fostering a collaborative approach to public health improvements across the continent.”

Participants engaged closely with Egyptian healthcare experts, delving into effective strategies for screening, community engagement, and public awareness efforts surrounding viral hepatitis. They also conducted field visits to hospitals for practical insights into sentinel surveillance, decentralized testing, and the manufacture of generic direct-acting antivirals for Hepatitis C.

One area of ongoing support for African nations battling viral hepatitis includes Egypt’s Presidential Initiative, which aims to provide pharmaceuticals to enhance treatment capabilities across the continent. Dr. Renè-Hubert Mendo’o Medjo, a central figure at the Africa CDC, spoke about the plans participants developed to share their training insights and outline necessary support from the CDC and Egypt’s Ministry of Health.

The Africa CDC's Continental Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Control Programme, initiated in October 2022, aims to bolster national programs across all 55 AU member states and achieve global hepatitis elimination targets by 2030.

With a continuing emphasis on collaboration, Africa CDC recently engaged in discussions with Cameroon’s health ministry about a national seroprevalence survey focusing on viral hepatitis among pregnant women. The survey is scheduled to kick off in January and aims to gather vital data that can guide public health strategies for disease prevention and treatment.

Madagascar is also on the radar for enhanced capacity building to tackle viral hepatitis. Recent assessments revealed that hepatitis is not prioritized within their existing health surveillance systems. Dr. Manuella Christopher, the Director of Epidemiological Surveillance, highlighted the need for substantial data to drive advocacy for better public health outcomes.

To strengthen Madagascar's health response, Africa CDC has committed resources for comprehensive surveys and vital training sessions focused on Hepatitis B and C management. As part of a growing partnership, Madagascar was selected to participate in the 2024 training cohort in Egypt.

The implementation of these initiatives is crucial not just for Egypt, but for the entire African continent that faces the pressing threat of viral hepatitis. With Egypt leading the charge, there lies a unique opportunity for mutual growth and shared learning among African nations, paving the way for improved health standards and a brighter future.

Stay tuned for more updates, and discover how these groundbreaking efforts are shaping healthcare across Africa!