PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Ahmed Hassanin AU - Serageldin Kamel AU - Imam Waked AU - Meredith Fort TI - Egypt's Ambitious Strategy to Eliminate Hepatitis C Virus: A Case Study AID - 10.9745/GHSP-D-20-00234 DP - 2021 Mar 31 TA - Global Health: Science and Practice PG - 187--200 VI - 9 IP - 1 4099 - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/1/187.short 4100 - http://www.ghspjournal.org/content/9/1/187.full SO - GLOB HEALTH SCI PRACT2021 Mar 31; 9 AB - Key MessagesDespite the modest success of Egypt's first national control program for chronic hepatitis C virus in 2008, subsequent control and elimination campaigns between 2014 and 2020 successfully screened more than 50 million individuals and treated 4 million people for chronic hepatitis C.The campaign's success was driven by: (1) a robust public health care infrastructure and surveillance system; (2) political commitment to sustainable chronic hepatitis C virus elimination (3) inclusive care that reached all sectors of society; and (4) use of information technology and innovative scientific research.Introduction:Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem in many low- and middle-income countries. In 2015, Egypt's HCV infection prevalence of 7% among adults was among the highest in the world and accounted for 7.6% of the country's mortality. In 2014, Egypt embarked on an aggressive screening and treatment program that evolved into a national strategy to eliminate HCV as a public health threat by 2021.Methods:In this qualitative case study, we analyzed Egypt's HCV control strategy using the Kingdon framework to understand how the problem, policy, and political streams merged to create an opportunity to achieve an ambitious elimination goal. We describe key aspects of the implementation, identify lessons learned, and provide recommendations for other low- and middle-income countries aiming to eliminate HCV.Results:Between 2014 and 2020, Egypt screened more than 50 million and treated more than 4 million residents for HCV. Five key elements contributed to Egypt's successful HCV elimination program: (1) sufficient and reliable epidemiologic data to quantify and monitor public health threats; (2) a robust public health care infrastructure; (3) inclusive care that reached all sectors of society; (4) political commitment to public health through increased health care spending and a comprehensive long-term national control strategy; and (5) innovative scientific research and use of information technology.Conclusion:Egypt conducted a successful HCV screening program that covered more than 50 million residents and treated more than 4 million. It is poised to be the first country in the world to eliminate HCV within its borders. The lessons learned from this experience can inform the elimination plans of other low- and middle-income countries with high HCV burden.