Accelerating the elimination of hepatitis C in Kuwait: An expert opinion

Abstract

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is estimated to affect 71 million people worldwide. In 2016, the World Health Organization adopted the first global health sector strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. In December 2018, the European Association for the Study of the Liver, International Liver Foundation convened an expert panel to address the elimination of HCV in Kuwait. Several steps have already been taken to eliminate HCV in Kuwait, including free HCV treatment for Kuwait’s citizens, high blood safety standards, and the implementation of screening and awareness programs. The expert panel made several recommendations aimed at accelerating the elimination of HCV in Kuwait: The development of a national strategy and action plan to guide all HCV elimination activities; the formation of a coordination mechanism to support collaboration between hepatitis working committees; the prioritization of micro-elimination at primary, secondary or tertiary facilities, in prisons and rehabilitation centers; and ensuring the involvement of multiple stakeholders – including relevant civil society groups – in all activities. Enhanced screening and linkage to care should be prioritized in Kuwait, with the expansion of the prescriber base to primary healthcare providers and nurse practitioners to be considered. Raising awareness and educating people about HCV infection also remain essential to achieve the goal of HCV elimination. Lastly, a national HCV registry should be developed to help monitor the implementation of viral hepatitis plans and progress towards achieving national and international targets.

Keywords: Awareness, Hepatitis C virus, Kuwait, Micro-elimination, Registries, Prescribers

Core tip: Globally, hepatitis C remains a public health threat, causing substantial morbidity and mortality. In 2016, World Health Organization adopted a strategy to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a public health threat by 2030. The expert panel convened in Kuwait explored how to eliminate HCV and developed seven recommendations to accelerate the response, which included developing a national strategy and action plan which outline national priorities for eliminating HCV; increasing awareness and educating people about HCV infection; micro-eliminating HCV in high-risk population groups; ensuring linkage to care; and developing a national HCV registry to monitor progress towards national and international goals in Kuwait.