In 2023, Egypt was on track to becoming the first country in the world to eradicate hepatitis C completely. This remarkable achievement was hailed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which described it as “nothing short of astounding”. The success can be largely attributed to Dr. Khaled Kabil, who has been leading the charge against hepatitis C in Egypt since 2006.
Under Kabil’s leadership, Egypt launched a nationwide testing and treatment campaign that brought the prevalence of hepatitis C below 1%. One of the key factors behind this progress was the availability of affordable antiviral drugs, thanks to a deal that allowed Egypt to purchase them at a discounted price and manufacture generic versions locally for even less. Kabil also oversaw the establishment of 150 treatment centers across Egypt, which provided care to millions of people.
Egypt’s success in combatting hepatitis C has not gone unnoticed, and the country has begun donating antiviral drugs to other African nations as part of its effort to contribute to global health efforts on a larger scale. Through these initiatives, Egypt is not only improving the health and well-being of its own population but also playing a crucial role in advancing public health on a global scale.