International Congress of Infectious Diseases: Hepatitis C Elimination Scientific Session

The International Congress of Infectious Diseases took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and virtually, from 17 to 20 November 2022.

On 19 November 2022, a scientific session "Hepatitis C Elimination – Global Opportunities" was held with the following speakers:

• Egypt’s Experience in the Elimination of Hepatitis C – Mohamed El-Kassas (Egypt)
• Innovation and Integration of HCV Diagnostics to Facilitate Linkage to Care – XiaoHui Sem (FIND, Malaysia)
• Malaysia’s Hepatitis C Elimination Journey – Global Implications and Opportunities – Rosaida Md Said (Malaysia)

Elimination targets based on the WHO global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis were designed to eliminate viral hepatitis as a major public health threat by 2030. The session provided an update on some countries’ advances: The Malaysia’s decentralization journey for hepatitis treatment and diagnostics and the use of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) with a focus on equitable and sustainable access to DAA treatment in low- and middle-income countries such as Egypt. Speakers discussed harm reduction efforts and community outreach to high-risk populations such as refugees, prison communities, and indigenous communities. Furthermore, the session focused on the role of public leadership in filling essential health gaps for neglected diseases as well as cutting-edge innovative strategies to facilitate linkage to care after screening and diagnosis.

Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and the Hepatitis C Partnership for Control and Treatment (Hepatitis C PACT) had an exhibition booth at the Congress to interact with delegates from around the world.