Centre Reaffirms Hepatitis Elimination Goal by 2030 as NVHCP Turns 8

The Union government has reiterated its commitment to eliminate viral hepatitis in India by 2030, as the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) marked eight years of operation. The reaffirmation came on World Hepatitis Day, with the Health Secretary stating that over 21 crore people have been screened and more than 6 lakh patients have received treatment under the programme so far.

Massive Screening Drive Underway

Speaking at an event in New Delhi, the Health Secretary outlined the scale of the government's efforts. "We have screened over 21 crore individuals and provided treatment to more than 6 lakh people under the NVHCP," she said. The programme, launched in 2018, aims to reduce the burden of hepatitis B and C, which together account for most viral hepatitis-related liver disease and cancer in the country.

The screening drive has been particularly focused on high-risk groups, including people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, and sex workers. The government has also integrated hepatitis testing into existing health programmes such as the National AIDS Control Programme and the National Health Mission.

AIIMS Experts Call for Early Detection

Experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have emphasised that many hepatitis deaths could be prevented through early screening and timely treatment. "Most patients with hepatitis B or C do not show symptoms until the disease has progressed to cirrhosis or liver cancer," said a senior hepatologist at AIIMS. "By the time symptoms appear, it is often too late for effective intervention."

The AIIMS team recommended that all adults should be tested for hepatitis B and C at least once in their lifetime, and that high-risk groups should be tested annually. They also highlighted that affordable generic versions of direct-acting antiviral drugs for hepatitis C are now widely available in India, making treatment accessible even in rural areas.

Landmark Buildings Lit Green

To mark World Hepatitis Day, several iconic buildings across the country were illuminated in green, the official colour of the global hepatitis awareness campaign. In Chennai, the historic Ripon Buildings — which houses the Greater Chennai Corporation — glowed green in solidarity with the cause. Similar illuminations were seen at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi and the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

The green lighting campaign is part of a global initiative by the World Health Organization to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and push for elimination targets. India's NVHCP has been recognised internationally for its scale and speed, particularly in rolling out hepatitis C treatment.

Challenges Remain Despite Progress

While the numbers are encouraging, health officials acknowledge that significant challenges remain. The biggest hurdle is reaching the undiagnosed population. Estimates suggest that over 40 million Indians are living with hepatitis B or C, but a large proportion are unaware of their infection. Stigma and lack of awareness continue to prevent people from coming forward for testing.

Another challenge is ensuring continuity of care. Hepatitis B requires lifelong treatment, while hepatitis C treatment lasts 12 to 24 weeks. Many patients, especially in rural areas, drop out after the initial diagnosis. The government is working with community health workers to track and follow up with patients.

The Health Secretary assured that the Centre would continue to allocate adequate funds and resources to the programme. She also urged state governments to step up their screening drives and ensure that treatment reaches every corner of the country.

The World Health Organization's target is to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, meaning a 90% reduction in new infections and a 65% reduction in deaths. With eight years of the NVHCP completed, the next seven years will be critical for India to meet that deadline.