A chronic hepatitis B treatment program has helped over 10,000 patients achieve a functional cure — also known as clinical cure — as of the end of May, the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control that initiated the program said recently.

A functional cure refers to the clearance of the hepatitis B surface antigen and the suppression of virus replication without the need for continued treatment.

China is home to about 75 million chronic hepatitis B patients, and achieving a functional cure for them would lower the risk of developing liver cirrhosis or cancer.

Xie Qing, an infectious disease expert at Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University's School of Medicine, said that advancements in new drugs and optimized treatment plans in recent years have enabled personalized functional cure protocols for patients of different ages and disease stages.

As a result, an increasing number of patients have attained a functional cure, she said during an event held by the foundation ahead of this year's World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on July 28.

The foundation reported that the program has surpassed its initial target of delivering clinical cure to 8,848 patients.

Gao Zhiliang, an infectious disease specialist from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, said that the program has gained recognition from the National Health Commission, China's top health authority, and its treatment protocol is now being promoted nationwide.

To date, more than 1,000 hospitals have established dedicated clinical cure clinics for hepatitis B.

Wang Fusheng, a renowned infectious disease expert and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, also highlighted the importance of active hepatitis B screening, particularly among children, to ensure timely treatment and prevent progression to chronic liver disease.