WHO Releases First Global Implementation Handbook to Accelerate Hepatitis Elimination by 2030.
Geneva:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its first-ever Consolidated Guidance and Implementation Handbook on Hepatitis B and C, aimed at helping countries strengthen prevention, testing, treatment and monitoring efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
The new handbook marks 10 years since the adoption of WHO’s first Global Health Sector Strategy on viral hepatitis and brings together more than a decade of evidence-based recommendations into a single practical guide. Designed for programme managers, policymakers, clinicians, donors and global health partners, the resource provides operational steps to translate global recommendations into concrete action at the country level.
Addressing a Major Global Health Challenge
According to WHO estimates, 254 million people worldwide are currently living with hepatitis B, while around 50 million people are living with hepatitis C. The diseases continue to cause widespread health problems and deaths despite the availability of effective prevention and treatment tools.
In 2022 alone, hepatitis-related conditions such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer resulted in 1.3 million deaths globally, which equals more than 3,500 deaths every day. Health experts warn that rising mortality rates highlight the urgent need to accelerate action to achieve the 2030 global hepatitis elimination targets.
Turning Evidence into Action
The handbook compiles over 80 WHO recommendations issued between 2015 and 2025 covering hepatitis B, C and D. By consolidating this guidance into one accessible document, WHO aims to help countries implement more coordinated and effective hepatitis responses.
Speaking on the initiative, Tereza Kasaeva said the handbook is designed to bridge the gap between policy guidance and real-world implementation.
She noted that the document offers clear pathways for expanding equitable and person-centred hepatitis services across national health systems, helping countries reduce new infections while addressing rising mortality.
Key Focus Areas of the Handbook
The new WHO guidance outlines several priority areas for countries working to strengthen their hepatitis response, including:
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, particularly through birth-dose vaccination.
Improving blood safety and injection safety, along with harm-reduction services for people who inject drugs.
Expanding testing for hepatitis B, C and D, including the use of rapid point-of-care diagnostics and reflex testing approaches.
Simplified treatment strategies that can be implemented across different levels of health systems.
Integration of hepatitis services within primary health care and universal health coverage frameworks.
The handbook also emphasizes the need for person-centred monitoring systems, providing practical tools to help governments track programme performance and strengthen accountability.
Leveraging Available Medical Tools
Health experts highlight that hepatitis B and C are largely preventable and treatable diseases. There is an effective vaccine for hepatitis B, as well as antiviral treatments that can control the infection. Meanwhile, hepatitis C can be completely cured with modern antiviral medicines.
Despite these advances, millions of people remain undiagnosed or untreated due to limited access to testing and treatment services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Scaling Up Global Action
WHO said it will now work with governments and international partners to promote the adoption of the new handbook and support countries in integrating hepatitis services into national health systems.
The organization hopes the guidance will help accelerate progress toward eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 through expanded prevention, early detection, and accessible treatment.
Global health experts say the success of these efforts will depend on sustained political commitment, improved funding, and stronger integration of hepatitis care within broader health services.
