New Delhi, July 28: Health and Family Welfare Minister Anupriya Patel urged for a ‘Hepatitis-Free India’ on Tuesday. She called for collaboration among the government, states, and stakeholders to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Speaking at an event marking ‘World Hepatitis Day 2026′ under the theme ‘Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,’ Patel highlighted the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program launched in 2018 as part of the National Health Mission. This initiative reflects India’s commitment to eradicate viral hepatitis as a public health concern by 2030.
Patel stated, “India is completing eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program. During this period, significant progress has been made in prevention, screening, testing, treatment, and follow-up. India is among the few countries offering free treatment for Hepatitis C and management for Hepatitis B, while also improving access to services at affordable prices.”
She emphasized that the cost of medications has been reduced to less than one dollar, and high-quality testing facilities are now readily available for early detection and timely treatment.
The minister noted that the program has been expanded in phases. Initially, services were strengthened at district health centers for treating uncomplicated cases, while select institutions were enhanced to provide referral services for complex cases.
Following this, screening and treatment services were extended to over 185,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country, increasing access to hepatitis-related services at the primary healthcare level.
Patel also released information, education, and communication (IEC) materials for distribution among states and union territories. These include posters on Hepatitis B and C, detailing how the diseases spread and the services available under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP).
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