On World Hepatitis Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region joins the global call to eliminate obstacles that stand between people and the hepatitis services that can save their lives. This year’s theme, Hepatitis: Let’s break it down, calls for the dismantling of barriers – whether associated with cost, stigma or unequal access – that continue to prevent millions of people from accessing lifesaving care.

Hepatitis, which can cause preventable illness, liver disease and cancer, remains a major public health challenge in the Region. According to the Global Hepatitis Report 2026, in 2024 an estimated 16 million people in the Region were living with hepatitis B and 12 million with hepatitis C, resulting in nearly 97 000 deaths.

Since 2015, new hepatitis C infections in the Region have fallen by 28% – driven by Egypt’s national elimination campaign and strong efforts in Morocco, Pakistan and beyond. Hepatitis B prevalence among children under 5 has also declined as a result of strong immunization programmes.

Despite this progress, major challenges remain. The Region still accounts for around a quarter of the world’s hepatitis C infections. According to the 2026 report, only 44% of people living with hepatitis C are being diagnosed, and just 31% receive treatment. For hepatitis B patients the figures are even more alarming: less than 2% receive the treatment they need.

In some countries in the Region unsafe medical injections account for around 14% of new hepatitis C infections. Low hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination coverage – 42% – also constitutes a major prevention gap.