TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan has achieved hepatitis C elimination ahead of schedule, with diagnosis and treatment rates both surpassing 90%, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛生福利部) announced on Wednesday (Dec. 17). President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and former Vice President Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) attended an international press conference in Taipei. Executive Yuan, Taiwan's cabinet, Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) and Deputy Health Minister Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) also joined the event.
The achievement comes 14 years ahead of the World Health Organization's 2030 target for global viral hepatitis elimination. Taiwan launched its hepatitis C treatment program in 2003, with the National Health Insurance Administration covering ribavirin combined with long-acting interferon injections. New oral medications emerged in 2014, and national insurance coverage expanded in 2017, resulting in over 182,000 patients receiving treatment by October.
Taiwan adopted a "treatment-led prevention" strategy, first treating known patients to reduce new infection risks before expanding screening efforts. Since 2020, authorities have screened over 7.55 million people across the island. Health Promotion Administration (國民健康署) Director Shen Ching-fen (沈靜芬) said Taiwan will strengthen screening programs and health education, encouraging citizens to get tested and seek early treatment.
Deputy Health Minister Chuang Jen-hsiang said Taiwan will apply for WHO hepatitis C elimination certification under the name "Chinese Taipei," Taiwan's designated name in international organizations. He stressed proactive communication with the WHO to prevent past incidents from recurring, such as Taiwan's polio eradication certificate being mistakenly sent to China. Taiwan has submitted its certification request to the WHO Western Pacific regional office and awaits review by international experts.
