NVHCP Progress: Over 21 Crore Screened for Hepatitis

India has achieved significant milestones in public health under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme. Consequently, Hepatitis B screening initiatives across the country have expanded rapidly over the past eight years. Additionally, Union Health Secretary Punya Srivastava reported that healthcare workers have screened over 21 crore individuals. Furthermore, the initiative has provided free treatment to more than 6 lakh patients. Therefore, these accomplishments demonstrate the country’s commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Expanding Infrastructure and Specialized Care

The program has surpassed its initial target of setting up one treatment center in every district. Currently, the national network encompasses 1,153 active treatment centers across various states and Union Territories. Moreover, this infrastructure includes over 70 specialized tertiary centers that deliver advanced care for complex liver disorders. As a result, decentralized management of viral hepatitis now reaches patients in previously underserved regions. Healthcare providers at district levels can easily order standard diagnostic tests and initiate antiviral therapies without delay.

Scaling Up Hepatitis B Screening in Antenatal Care

Preventing mother-to-child transmission remains a vital priority for the national health system. Health authorities have already screened more than 7.64 crore pregnant women for Hepatitis B virus infection. Additionally, over 2.24 lakh newborns born to positive mothers received Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin at birth. Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel noted that birth-dose vaccination coverage has crossed 92 per cent. However, routine antenatal screening currently stands at approximately 65 per cent across all states. Therefore, public health leaders urge clinicians to aim for complete screening during pregnancy. Consequently, timely administration of birth-dose vaccines and immunoglobulin within 24 hours will protect every newborn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are the key achievements of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme?

Under the program, over 21 crore individuals have undergone screening and more than 6 lakh patients have received free treatment. Furthermore, the program has established 1,153 treatment centers across the country.

Q2: Why is antenatal screening for Hepatitis B critical?

Screening pregnant women identifies mothers with active viral infection. Consequently, healthcare teams can administer the Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccine and Immunoglobulin to newborns within 24 hours to prevent vertical transmission.

Q3: What target has the Ministry set for maternal screening?

While birth-dose vaccination coverage currently exceeds 92 per cent, antenatal screening stands at around 65 per cent. Therefore, the Ministry urges all states to achieve 100 per cent screening for pregnant women.

References

1. Over 21 cr screened, 6 lakh treated under National Viral Hepatitis ControlProgramme: Health Secretary – ETHealthworld
2. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme Operational Guidelines. Government of India.
3. Press Information Bureau. Marks eight years of National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP). Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

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