WHO’s stance on HCV is to achieve simplification of the use of patient care pathways and diagnostic approaches.

HCV VL assays performed on point-of-care (POC) devices outside of the laboratory and in a clinic near to where patients receive care are being increasingly used as an alternative approach to laboratory-based diagnosis.

WHO already recommends the use of these POC assays for diagnosis and monitoring of other infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, COVID-19 and HIV. Until recently, there had been limited data on their use in improving access to and uptake of HCV testing and treatment.

The international agency promotes a strategy against viral hepatitis with the goal of eliminating it by 2030.

Chronic HCV infection is a major global public health problem with the greatest burden in low- and middle-income nations.

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