The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe has recognized Georgia’s Hepatitis C elimination program as a successful model. The organization’s 2026 Global Hepatitis Report highlights the significant progress achieved by the country in terms of sharply reducing the burden of the infection.

Maia Tsereteli, Head of the Department for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis at the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), and Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis Elimination, made a statement regarding the issue:

“Millions of people living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C are still undiagnosed or untreated, and hepatitis-related deaths from liver cancer or cirrhosis continue to rise.

The experience of countries nearing elimination demonstrates the impact of sustained investment and political commitment.

“Georgia’s hepatitis C elimination programme has shown that elimination is not just an aspiration, it is achievable”, - said Dr Maia Tsereteli, Head of the Division on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis, Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis Elimination at the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health in Georgia. “By expanding testing, ensuring access to treatment and working closely with communities, we have dramatically reduced the burden of hepatitis C. Our experience shows that every country can make progress when hepatitis becomes a national priority””.