Georgia has entered a new stage of the international validation process for the elimination of viral hepatitis, moving closer to potential recognition by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for progress in combating Hepatitis B and C, according to the Ministry of Health.
The first meeting of the National Validation Board for the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis was held under the leadership of Health Minister Mikheil Sarjveladze. The minister highlighted the achievements of Georgia’s Hepatitis B and C programmes, describing the Hepatitis C Elimination Programme as one of the country’s major healthcare successes and noting the contribution of medical professionals and international partners.
Georgia plans to apply for WHO validation this year in two areas: progress toward Hepatitis C elimination and the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B. Both applications have been prepared for the highest “Gold” level of recognition, with the national goal of fully eliminating hepatitis by 2030.
According to the National Validation Report, 87.3% of people with chronic Hepatitis C have been diagnosed, 87.1% of diagnosed patients have started treatment, and the cure rate has reached 99%. Georgia has also achieved WHO regional targets for Hepatitis B, including a 0.03% prevalence rate among children, 96% birth-dose vaccination coverage, and 90% three-dose vaccination coverage.
