Health Ministry Marks Eight Years Of National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday observed World Hepatitis Day 2026 under the global theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”, marking eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) and reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Addressing the event, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel called for collective efforts by the Centre, States and all stakeholders to realise the vision of a “Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat” in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.
Highlighting the progress made since the launch of the programme in 2018 under the National Health Mission, the Minister said India is among the few countries providing free treatment for Hepatitis C and free management of Hepatitis B, while continuously expanding access to affordable diagnostics and treatment services.
She noted that the cost of medicines has been reduced to less than one dollar, making treatment more accessible and enabling early diagnosis and timely care.
Expanded Access to Hepatitis Services
Anupriya Patel said the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme has expanded in phases, with treatment services initially strengthened at district hospitals before being extended to the country’s network of over 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, bringing screening and treatment closer to communities through primary healthcare facilities.
She also highlighted the success of preventive measures, stating that the Hepatitis B vaccine, introduced under the Universal Immunization Programme in 2011, has achieved more than 92 per cent birth-dose coverage.
While around 65 per cent of pregnant women are currently being screened for Hepatitis B, the Minister urged States and Union Territories to ensure 100 per cent screening to facilitate timely vaccination of newborns and administration of Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG) within 24 hours for babies born to Hepatitis B-positive mothers.
Describing Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as “silent killers”, she also stressed the need to vaccinate healthcare workers, strengthen awareness campaigns and expand interventions among high-risk groups to prevent chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
Over 21 Crore Beneficiaries Screened
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme has screened more than 21 crore beneficiaries, while over six lakh patients have received free treatment since its launch.
She said the programme has surpassed its target of establishing one treatment centre in every district, with the country now having 1,153 treatment centres, including more than 70 specialised centres providing advanced care.
Highlighting the programme’s convergence-based approach, she said the National AIDS Control Programme supports outreach among high-risk populations, while maternal health initiatives help prevent mother-to-child transmission through antenatal screening and timely administration of HBIG.
She informed that more than 7.64 crore pregnant women have been screened under the programme and 2.24 lakh newborns of Hepatitis B-positive mothers have received HBIG.
The Health Secretary also called for intensified efforts to identify infected individuals, ensure timely linkage to treatment and strengthen patient monitoring through the NVHCP Case-Based Management Information System (CPMIS) integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
Convergence and Awareness Drive
Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Aradhana Patnaik said the programme focuses on preventing mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B while ensuring early detection and treatment of Hepatitis C, particularly among high-risk groups such as injecting drug users.
She said the programme is being implemented in convergence with the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme and the National AIDS Control Programme, helping strengthen India’s efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
On the occasion, Anupriya Patel also released a series of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, including posters on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, highlighting modes of transmission, prevention measures and services available under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme for dissemination across States and Union Territories.
