Israel’s Effective Hepatitis C Elimination Program: Progress and Innovations in Public Health
- By May 15, 2023, the program screened 555,083 individuals from a total of 865,382 identified at-risk persons.
- The program costs approximately ₪14,426 (about $3,606 USD) per person diagnosed and successfully treated.
- Targeted Screening: The MoH issued directives for individuals who emigrated from endemic regions or belong to high-risk groups to undergo HCV testing.
In 2021, Israel‘s Ministry of Health (MoH) launched a national hepatitis C (HCV) elimination program. The program follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goals to cut new HCV infections by 90% and deaths by 65% from 2016 to 2030.
By May 15, 2023, the program screened 555,083 individuals from a total of 865,382 identified at-risk persons. Among those screened, 24,361 tested positive for HCV. Of the 20,928 serologically positive individuals, 63.9% showed viremia, and 80% of them received treatment. The program achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR) in 96.5% of those tested after treatment.
The program costs approximately ₪14,426 (about $3,606 USD) per person diagnosed and successfully treated. It successfully screened and treated nearly 66% of the identified at-risk population.
Key Components of the Program
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Targeted Screening:
The MoH issued directives for individuals who emigrated from endemic regions or belong to high-risk groups to undergo HCV testing. Dedicated taskforces reached out to populations with limited access to primary care, such as people who inject drugs (PWID).
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Awareness Campaigns:
The MoH trained healthcare workers through online tutorials. They distributed educational leaflets explaining HCV’s asymptomatic nature and the importance of early diagnosis. Additional resources included an HCV web portal and a question-and-answer video on the Ministry’s YouTube channel. Awareness was also raised through media interviews and advertisements.
- Patient Registry:
A registry tracked each identified patient from initial testing to treatment and follow-up. This system ensured individualized training while maintaining patient anonymity.
Results
The program saw positive outcomes in increasing HCV screening rates. A substantial increase in treated patients was noted, with SVR rates exceeding 95% among those treated. While the authors do not expect complete HCV elimination in Israel by 2030, they predict a significant decrease in prevalence.