Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt becomes first in region to achieve Hepatitis B control
In a landmark achievement for public health, Egypt has become the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean region to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional target for controlling Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Population, received an official certificate from the WHO documenting this remarkable success. The distinguished honor not only places Egypt at the forefront within its region, but also draws international recognition for its sustained health efforts.
The announcement was celebrated at a special ceremony attended by senior health officials, including Dr. Amr Kandil and Dr. Abla El-Alfi, Deputy Ministers of Health, Dr. Ahmed Taha, Chairman of the General Authority for Health Accreditation and Regulation, in addition to representatives from international organizations and national health institutions.
In his remarks, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that Egypt’s bold vision, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, has made health a top national priority. The government’s approach is grounded in the principles of health security, localizing pharmaceutical and vaccine production, and broadening health coverage for all residents.
A Decade of Progress and Results
The Minister highlighted the government’s steady progress since 2008, with a pronounced focus on preventive medicine. Among those under 60 years old, hepatitis B prevalence has dropped 15% since 2015, and cases among children under 10 have been halved. Most notably, prevalence in children under five is now estimated at less than 1% according to nationwide health surveys.