Gulf Cooperation Council states: On the brink of HBV elimination

Abstract

The global health sector strategy (GHSS) on viral hepatitis 2016-20211 set the stage for bold action to eliminate the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) as public health threats by 2030. The strategy provided a roadmap setting out tangible targets on diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Recently, the World Health Assembly approved the development of a new global health sector strategy on viral hepatitis for 2022-2030. The new strategy comes at a critical time as countries need to make a strong push to eliminate HBV and HBC by 2030.

Despite substantial progress, numerous challenges remain to HBV elimination across policy and practice.2 Here, we reflect on the successes and challenges towards HBV elimination in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We also set out how the new health sector strategy can drive the field towards achieving the 2030 targets.