The World Health Organization (WHO) released landmark Consolidated guidance and implementation handbook on hepatitis B and C, to support countries to expand prevention, testing, treatment, service delivery and programme monitoring, through a comprehensive public health approach.

Key features of the handbook include consolidating over 80 WHO recommendations on hepatitis B, C, and D, offering guidance on preventing mother-to-child transmission (including birth-dose vaccination), outlining improved testing and simplified treatment approaches, promoting integration of hepatitis services into primary health care, and strengthening monitoring systems for better programme performance.

WHO plans to work with countries and partners to implement the handbook and expand equitable, person-centred hepatitis services, helping accelerate progress toward eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.