India Steps Up Efforts to Eliminate Hepatitis by 2030
iasparliament
July 28, 2026
Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Health
Why in News?
Hepatitis
Hepatitis refers to the inflammation of the liver caused primarily by viral infections, as well as toxic substances (such as alcohol and drugs) or autoimmune conditions.
Primary Viral Strains - There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus: A, B, C, D, and E.
Major Threat Drivers - Hepatitis B and C are the most common causes of severe, chronic liver conditions, leading directly to liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.
Key Policy/Programme - National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP).
India is systematically strengthening its public health response to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
This strategy aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3.3).
It aims to combat communicable diseases, including hepatitis, HIV, and malaria.
Key Implementation Pillars & Innovations
Free Screening & Treatment - The government provides free screening, diagnostic testing, and antiviral medications for Hepatitis B and C nationwide.
Affordability via Generic Drugs-Smart deployment of local health funds and affordable generic drugs has significantly reduced treatment costs, making large-scale public distribution feasible.
Decentralization to Primary Care - Diagnostic and therapeutic services are actively moving from district hospitals down to local primary healthcare centres, bringing care closer to last-mile communities.
Inter-Programmatic Integration - The initiative links hepatitis prevention with existing national health programmes (such as reproductive/child health and injection safety protocols) to maximize reach.
