Experts Doubt Hepatitis C Elimination in Germany by 2030

The World Health Organization's (WHO) goal to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030 is facing significant doubts in Germany. Despite the availability of nearly curative treatments, the country is falling behind its targets, causing concern for affected individuals.

Experts gathered in Berlin recently to discuss the challenges hindering elimination efforts. Hepatitis C, a potentially life-threatening liver disease, can now be almost entirely cured with modern antiviral therapies, offering a near 100% elimination rate with minimal side effects.

Germany adopted its own "BIS 2030" strategy to combat infections in 2016, aligning with WHO objectives. While initial progress was made, the pace has since stalled. As of the first quarter of 2026, Germany lags behind the required number of diagnosed and treated cases to meet the 2030 elimination target.

The primary obstacles are not medical but systemic. Reaching high-risk populations, including intravenous drug users, incarcerated individuals, the homeless, and migrants from high-prevalence countries, remains difficult. These groups often face barriers to accessing healthcare, making targeted, low-threshold outreach programs essential for identifying and treating remaining infections before the 2030 deadline.