Uganda Meets WHO Hep B Target

Uganda has become the first country in Africa to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) 2020 target for Hepatitis B awareness and access to treatment.

Uganda has invested heavily in providing free screening, with over four million screened since 2015. The screening process has been complemented by community mobilisation and sensitisation initiatives.

According to a WHO scorecard reviewing the country’s performance, “More than 30 per cent of the population who are infected with Hepatitis B are now aware of their status and can have access to free medical care, making Uganda the first country in Africa to surpass the 2020 target of 20 per cent.”

WHO’s 2020 target aims at securing a reduction in new cases to 30 per cent of 2015 levels and the treatment of five million people with the infection.

Hepatitis B is responsible for approximately 1.4 million deaths every year.