MoS Anupriya Patel calls for Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat by 2030
New Delhi, July 28
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel on Tuesday called for a Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat, urging collective action by the Government, States and stakeholders to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Delivering the keynote address at an event organised to observe World Hepatitis Day 2026 under the global theme "Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down", Patel said the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), launched on World Hepatitis Day in 2018 under the National Health Mission, reflects India's commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
"India is marking eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, during which substantial progress has been made in prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up," she said.
The Minister of State noted that "India is among the few countries providing free-of-cost treatment for Hepatitis C and management of Hepatitis B, while continuing to improve access and affordability of services."
She highlighted that "the cost of medicines has been reduced to less than one dollar, while quality diagnostics are being made increasingly accessible to facilitate early identification and timely treatment."
The Minister said that the programme has been expanded in a phased manner. Initially, treatment services for uncomplicated cases were strengthened at district health facilities, while selected institutions were strengthened to provide referral services for complicated cases.
Thereafter, screening and treatment services were expanded to the country's network of more than 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, thereby expanding access to hepatitis services at the primary healthcare level, she said.
Patel also released Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, including posters on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, highlighting modes of transmission and services available under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) for dissemination across States and Union Territories.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the government's efforts, I hope they focus on awareness too. Many people in rural areas still don't know how hepatitis spreads or that free treatment is available. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are a good step, but we need more ground-level health workers to actually reach people. 💉📢
As someone living in a small town, I can confirm that access to hepatitis screening has improved. Last year, our local PHC started offering free hepatitis B and C tests during the weekly health camp. It's not perfect, but compared to five years ago, it's night and day. Let's hope we can achieve the 2030 target! 🙏
Impressive progress! I'm a doctor in the US, and India's model of providing free Hepatitis C treatment and reducing costs to under $1 is something even developed countries struggle with. The NVHCP expansion to 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs is a massive logistical achievement. Kudos to the Indian healthcare system! 🌍👏
I wish they would also address the stigma around hepatitis. My cousin was diagnosed with Hepatitis B as a child, and people in our society treated her differently. Awareness campaigns need to go hand in hand with medical treatment. But yes, the government's commitment to free care is commendable. 💛
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