India Accelerates Hepatitis Elimination Mission with Expanded Free Testing and Treatment Services
New Delhi, July 27: India is stepping up efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 through expanded screening, free diagnostic services and accessible treatment under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP).
The government has strengthened the nationwide programme by integrating hepatitis prevention, detection and treatment services with existing healthcare initiatives. Since its launch in 2018, the NVHCP has focused on improving early diagnosis, ensuring timely treatment and reducing the burden of hepatitis-related illnesses.
Under the programme, patients suffering from Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C receive free diagnostic tests and medicines, while awareness campaigns and surveillance systems help identify infections at an early stage. The initiative also covers all five major forms of viral hepatitis — A, B, C, D and E — through targeted prevention and management strategies.
Prevention remains a key focus area, with Hepatitis B vaccination being provided under the Universal Immunisation Programme, including the crucial birth dose within 24 hours of delivery. The government is also expanding screening among pregnant women, high-risk groups and blood donors through coordination with other national health programmes.
To improve access to care, hepatitis services are being decentralised from district hospitals to local healthcare facilities, enabling more people to receive testing and treatment closer to their communities. Digital monitoring systems are also being used to strengthen patient tracking and programme management.
The government said the expansion of affordable medicines, free healthcare services and integrated disease management efforts will play a crucial role in achieving India’s 2030 goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a major public health challenge.
