India Aims for Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat by 2030 on World Hepatitis Day

National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme Marks Eight Years of Free Care

India observed World Hepatitis Day 2026 by taking stock of eight years of organized public health intervention under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme. Launched in 2018 beneath the National Health Mission, the initiative aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. Delivering the keynote address in New Delhi, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel emphasized that the country stands among the few nations providing free-of-cost treatment for Hepatitis C and management for Hepatitis B.

The scale of the government response has broadened significantly since its inception. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava reported that over 21 crore people have undergone screening through the program, resulting in more than six lakh patients treated across a network of one thousand 153 designated treatment centres. Furthermore, screening efforts have reached over seven crore 64 lakh pregnant women nationwide.

To reduce financial barriers, officials noted that medicine costs have dropped below one dollar, while diagnostic infrastructure has scaled up. The government has pushed services directly into primary care by integrating hepatitis screening and treatment into more than 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

Reaching the 2030 Elimination Goal Through Vaccination and Grassroots Screening

Achieving a Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat requires robust preventative measures at the earliest stages of life. The Health Ministry reported that Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination coverage has now crossed 92 per cent. During the national briefing, Patel urged all states and union territories to aim for 100 per cent screening coverage among pregnant women.

Complementing the central government push, municipal bodies and civic organizations mobilized local visibility campaigns. In Chennai, the headquarters of the Greater Chennai Corporation at the Ripon Buildings was illuminated in vibrant green lights on Monday evening. The local awareness drive was organized in partnership with the Chennai Liver Foundation and the Rotary Club of Chennai Towers to draw public attention toward chronic liver disease risks.

Recognizing the Warning Signs of a Silent Epidemic

Medical professionals emphasize that viral hepatitis frequently progresses without visible indicators, earning it the designation of a silent epidemic. Dr. Waseem Ramzan Dar, Associate Consultant in Gastroenterology at ShardaCare-HealthCity, pointed out that chronic infections involving hepatitis B or C can silently damage the liver for years before a patient seeks help.

“Many patients, particularly those with chronic hepatitis B or C, remain asymptomatic for years, making viral hepatitis a ‘silent epidemic’.”

Dr. Waseem Ramzan Dar, Associate Consultant, Gastroenterology, ShardaCare-HealthCity, via NDTV

Initial signs of acute viral hepatitis often mimic common viral illnesses, including unusual fatigue, general malaise, loss of appetite, nausea, mild fever, and discomfort in the upper right side of the abdomen. As the condition advances, patients may develop unmistakable markers such as jaundice, dark-coloured urine, pale stools, and generalized skin itching caused by the liver’s inability to process bilirubin properly.

Physicians advise immediate medical evaluation if severe symptoms arise. Dr. Dar highlighted that urgent medical attention is necessary in cases of persistent vomiting, severe fatigue, confusion, or unusual bleeding, which can signal acute liver failure or severe hepatic inflammation.

Targeted Testing and Preventative Protocols

Because symptoms remain absent during early stages, medical guidelines recommend screening for individuals with specific risk factors. Testing is vital for anyone with a history of contaminated food or water exposure, unprotected sexual contact, needle-sharing, occupational contact with blood, or close household contact with a diagnosed patient.

Early diagnosis allows clinicians to monitor liver function and initiate targeted antiviral therapies before irreversible damage occurs. According to medical specialists, prompt intervention interrupts viral transmission and lowers the long-term probability of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Alongside clinical diagnostics, the Union Health Ministry released updated Information, Education, and Communication materials, including specialized posters outlining transmission vectors and available state-level support services, ensuring that awareness campaigns reach communities across every state and union territory.