Tehran-Jafar Hussein, president of Iran’s World Health Organization (WHO), praises Iran’s health experts, officials and people, and emphasizes the praise of the national decision to eliminate hepatitis when tackling hepatitis B and C.
Viral hepatitis is preventable and curable, but it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the IRNA, officials said elimination of hepatitis requires collective measures and widespread participation, and officials emphasize the importance of raising public awareness, updating their commitments and promoting measures in the fight against hepatitis.
Officials made a statement on July 2nd on World Hepatitis Day, which is observed annually.
Referring to Iran’s notable achievements in the management of hepatitis B through vaccination, Hussein detailed the existing challenges in the case of hepatitis C, particularly among vulnerable groups.
“We need to focus on health quality and programs such as peer support, harm reduction services, and expansion of testing and treatment,” the official said.
Referring to the WHO policy (STIS) that integrates HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases (STIS), Hussain said that integration of hepatitis services with PHC will lead to improved access to services, enhanced service delivery, increased community engagement, improved health outcomes and sustainable funding.
Officials are calling for stigma-free, person-centered care investment and integration of hepatitis services with PHC, stressing that eradication of hepatitis is not just a health objective, but a step towards justice, human dignity and equality.
Iran has decided to eradicate hepatitis C
The Ministry of Health has set the goal of eliminating the country’s hepatitis C by Iran 1405 (March to March 2027), and through accurate planning and extensive participation in various sectors, Deputy Health Minister Alileza Leisi said.
The country will continue to implement diagnostic, treatment and prevention policies to ensure that it can achieve international bronze, silver and ultimately gold medals for the eradication of hepatitis C.
Officials made their remarks while dealing with the 2025 world hepatitis global hepatitis held on July 28th in front of representatives from the WHO and other international organizations.
Iran has been significantly successful in managing diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis despite sharing a border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, which has the highest prevalence of infectious diseases.
Fortunately, the country has successfully implemented vaccination programs, injection safety, blood screening and preventing transmission from mothers to children, Raeisi added.
In the first step, in order to win the bronze medal, the Ministry of Health plans to identify approximately 60% of infected cases with hepatitis and treat 40% by the next Iranian year in March 2026.
He emphasized that about 13,000 to 21,000 people are diagnosed annually.
Silver medals are received in the next stage, with 70% of people with illness being diagnosed and 60% being cured. In the final stage, the gold medal, the Ministry of Health treated 70-80% of hepatitis patients, Raeisi said.
Emphasizing that hepatitis removal is not a motto but a national commitment, Reshi said the national hepatitis removal programme is focused on discovering active cases (among high-risk groups such as addicts, prisoners, rare diseases, and refugees).
Referring to the sanctions, Leshi urged the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to further support the country in achieving its goals, celebrating the efforts to provide the necessary equipment, share knowledge and reduce harm to high-risk groups.
Hepatitis is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious drugs, leading to a variety of health problems, some of which are fatal.
Low coverage of testing and treatment is the most important gap to address to achieve global exclusion goals by 2030.
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