How far is Mexico from Viral Hepatitis Global Health Sector Strategy 2030 targets

Abstract

In 2016 WHO member states endorsed the 69th World Health Assembly's Global Health Sector Strategies (GHSS) towards eliminating Hepatitis B (HBV) infections by 2030. Substantial progress has been made in Mexico regarding HBV vaccination, blood safety and health-care setting injection safety but minor progress has been identified regarding timely HBV birth-dose coverage, access to diagnostic testing and treatment. Most importantly, Mexico's lack of a national plan for the fight against viral hepatitis was identified as a major obstacle for the development and implementation of actions and procuring funding. Insight of these deficiencies, we propose six actions that are in line with GHSS strategic directions to better allow Mexico to reach the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. 1) the creation of a National Viral Hepatitis Task Group capable of providing direction, recommendations as well as innovative solutions in the fight against viral hepatitis in Mexico; 2) the drafting of a National Plan for viral hepatitis; 3) establishing a national viral hepatitis information database; 4) development of Clinical Practice Guidelines; 5) appeal for governmental responsibility and accountability; 6) promote basic, applied science projects as well as clinical research to determine the viral, epidemiological, genomic, ethnic and cultural peculiarities of viral hepatitis infections in Mexico. These basic actions will better equip Mexico to meet GHSS targets, lead to high-impact health interventions and ultimately enhance the cascade of care, from diagnosis to chronic care. Political commitment is a requirement to the implementation of these actions but civil society involvement is also seen to be crucial.