For decades, hepatitis C has been recognized as a major global public health challenge, with an estimated 58 million people living with chronic hepatitis C infection worldwide. Although no vaccine currently exists, hepatitis C is now curable with highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies delivered through treatment courses of 8–12 weeks. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Glasgow Declaration on Viral Hepatitis in 2015, setting ambitious goals to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

In line with the WHO’s Guidance for Country Validation of Viral Hepatitis Elimination and Path to Elimination, Taiwan has reached the Gold Tier programmatic targets under the WHO Path to Elimination (PTE) framework for hepatitis C. This progress has been driven by the government’s political will and the systematic integration of hepatitis prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment into a universal health-care system.

Through Taiwan’s Adult Preventive Healthcare Services for hepatitis B and C, as well as the National Health Insurance program for DAA reimbursement, hepatitis C screening and treatment are widely available, thereby reducing financial and structural barriers to care. As of June 2025, an estimated 90.2 percent of individuals with chronic hepatitis C have been diagnosed, and 92.6 percent of those diagnosed have received DAA treatment, exceeding the WHO PTE Gold Tier benchmarks.

Prevention and patient safety remain indispensable components of hepatitis C elimination. Taiwan maintains 100 percent screening of donated blood and 100% safe medical injection practices. Comprehensive harm reduction programs are also provided to ensure wide access to sterile injecting equipment for people who inject drugs (PWID), with more than 150 syringes distributed per person. These measures are essential for reducing new infections and safeguarding elimination gains over time.

Consistent with the WHO and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) principle of Leave No One Behind, Taiwan has focused on populations facing higher risks and greater

barriers to care. High screening coverage and treatment rates have been achieved among people living with HIV, patients with end-stage renal disease, individuals receiving opioid agonist therapy, and prisoners in correctional facilities. These outcomes reflect the equity of our healthcare systems and reflect the WHO’s core principle.

Over the past two decades, Taiwan has observed a substantial decline in liver cancer incidence and mortality, trends closely linked to long-standing hepatitis prevention and treatment policies. The achievements presented in the Taiwan Hepatitis C Elimination Report are the result of close cross-sectoral collaboration among central and local governments, public health authorities, clinical providers, and civil society organizations. Taiwan’s success is also rooted in the government’s political will, supported by robust surveillance systems and transparent data reporting.

As the global target toward the 2030 viral hepatitis elimination goals, the ‘Taiwan Model’ offers clear evidence that elimination is achievable when science, political will, and equity converge. The Taiwan Hepatitis C Elimination Report has been submitted to the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) for validation under the PTE Gold Tier for hepatitis C elimination. We look forward to the recognition of Taiwan’s demonstrated leadership and contributions in advancing hepatitis C elimination. Taiwan remains committed to working with the international community and sharing our experience to help accelerate global progress toward a world free from hepatitis C.

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Author: Dr. Chung-Liang Shih (Taiwan’s Minister of Health and Welfare)