title: Launch of a Nationwide Hepatitis C Elimination Program--Georgia, April 2015.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects an estimated 130-150 million persons globally and results in an estimated 700,000 deaths annually from hepatocellular carcinoma or cirrhosis. Georgia, a middle-income Eurasian country, has one of the highest estimated HCV prevalences in the world. In 2011, Georgia began offering treatment to a limited number of HCV-infected persons. Beginning in 2013, when new oral medications that can cure >90% of HCV infections were licensed, Georgia engaged partners to develop a comprehensive HCV prevention and control plan, during which the concept of elimination of HCV transmission and disease emerged. To prepare for the launch of an HCV elimination program, Georgia requested CDC's assistance to describe HCV epidemiology, evaluate laboratory and health care capacity, and conduct program monitoring and evaluation. This report describes the activities undertaken to prepare for the program, launched in April 2015, and early results of its initial phase, focused on improving access to affordable diagnostics and free curative treatment for HCV-infected persons with severe liver disease. A national population-based serosurvey began in May 2015, and four clinical sites and their laboratories were selected as initial pilot sites; since June, three additional sites have been added. Through July 3, 2015, a total of 6,491 persons sought treatment, and 6,177 (95.2%) initiated diagnostic work-up. Among these, 1,519 (24.6%) completed work-up, 1,474 (97.0%) of whom initiated treatment. Georgia is scaling up capacity to meet the demand for HCV treatment and is collaborating with CDC and other partners on development of a comprehensive HCV elimination plan that includes specific goals and activities needed to achieve them.
authors.forename: Kiren
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitruka
authors.forename: Tengiz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsertsvadze
authors.forename: Maia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Butsashvili
authors.forename: Amiran
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gamkrelidze
authors.forename: Paata
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sabelashvili
authors.forename: Ekaterine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adamia
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chokheli
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Drobeniuc
authors.forename: Liesl
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hagan
authors.forename: Aaron M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: Tea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jiqia
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasradze
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Vakhtang
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Qerashvili
authors.forename: Lali
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sharvadze
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tskhomelidze
authors.forename: Valeri
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kvaratskhelia
authors.forename: Juliette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Averhoff
mesh_terms: D060740:Disease Eradication / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology