HCV elimination in hyperendemic areas: Experiences in Taiwan

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a major global health burden, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare. In 2017, Taiwan launched its National Hepatitis C Elimination Program, aiming for national elimination by 2025 through micro-elimination strategies, with a focus on hyperendemic areas. This review summarizes the outcomes of multiple intervention models implemented across high-prevalence areas. In regions with anti-HCV prevalence exceeding 10 %, targeted outreach by hepatologists or multidisciplinary teams has achieved a high reduction in viremia. Community-based screening and treatment campaigns in underserved areas demonstrated treatment rates exceeding 90 %, and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates over 95 %. These efforts were supported by national health insurance coverage, governmental policies, decentralized care delivery, and integration with local healthcare systems. Despite these achievements, challenges persist, including low disease awareness, stigma, and disparities in healthcare access, particularly in rural and indigenous communities. Taiwan's experience illustrates that combining policy support with patient-centered models of care can lead to substantial progress toward HCV elimination. This approach offers a practical and scalable model for other countries aiming to eliminate hepatitis C, particularly in resource-limited or high-burden settings with heterogeneous epidemiology.