CAIRO, March, 18, 2018 - The Ministry of Health and Population announced on Sunday the completion of examining 408,000 citizens of HCV in accordance with the initiative launched by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to eliminate hepatitis C from the country by 2020, in co-operation with the Long Live Egypt Fund and the Sheikhdom of Al-Azhar. 20,500 patients were found HCV positive, and free treatment was provided to 7,600 patients, Ministry of Health and Population Spokesman Dr Khaled Megahed said. The campaign is spreading nationwide through 348 mobile health vehicles at 87 centers, Dr Megahed added. When a person proves HCV positive, proper treatment is provided for him, Dr Megahed said, noting that the campaign targets those in the ages from 19 to 59. He added that the campaign is aimed to treat 50 million citizens within the next three years, 15 million citizens every year, for Egypt to be free of HCV by 2020.