Urgent Action Needed: Tackling Hepatitis C in Asia-Pacific Children with New Therapies

October 3, 2024
Urgent Action Needed: Tackling Hepatitis C in Asia-Pacific Children with New Therapies
  • The management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in children across the Asia-Pacific region is a pressing issue, highlighting both treatment options and the challenges faced.

  • Globally, approximately 3.26 million children and adolescents are living with HCV, with significant populations in countries such as Pakistan, China, India, and Nigeria.

  • Historically, treatment options for HCV in children have been limited, but the introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies has improved the situation significantly.

  • DAA therapy is now recommended for all children over three years old with HCV, regardless of liver function or genotype, due to its high cure rate.

  • Despite the effectiveness of DAAs, many HCV patients remain undiagnosed, contributing to ongoing transmission of the virus.

  • Barriers to HCV screening and diagnosis include low public awareness, stigma, and structural challenges that limit access to testing services.

  • Regional cooperation and tailored public health strategies are essential to improve screening and treatment access, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Cost-effectiveness studies indicate that early treatment of HCV in children can prevent serious liver complications and reduce healthcare costs.

  • Efforts to manufacture generic DAAs in countries like India show promise for making treatment more affordable and accessible.

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has set ambitious targets to eliminate HCV as a public health threat by 2030, yet significant challenges remain.

  • Public health strategies must emphasize screening, treatment, and harm reduction programs to meet WHO targets and effectively combat HCV.

  • Chronic HCV in children often progresses slowly and can remain asymptomatic for over 20 years, complicating early detection efforts.

Summary based on 2 sources


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