ENDING THE SILENT EPIDEMIC ACCELERATING INDIA'S FIGHT AGAINST VIRAL HEPATITIS

To eliminate Hepatitis is not only a public health goal; it is a moral imperative of equity and dignity, inclusion of the most marginalized, and achieving health care for all.

- Dr. Manish Dodmani, Consultant, Medical Gastroenterology, KIMS Hospitals, Thane

Viral hepatitis remains a neglected global health crisis, causing around 1.1 million deaths annually – rivaling HIV, TB, and malaria. The World Health Organization aims to eliminate it as a public health threat by 2030. Hepatitis isn't a single disease but a group of five viruses (A, B, C, D, E), each with different transmission modes and risks. In India, about 40 million people live with chronic Hepatitis B, many unaware due to its asymptomatic nature. This silent progression can lead to liver failure or cancer. Timely awareness, screening, and preventive measures are key to controlling this invisible killer.

WHO's Global Strategy: A Clear Path Forward

The elimination strategy accelerated by the WHO states four ambitious targets to reach by 2030:

• 90% reduction in new infections

• 65% reduction in Hepatitis deaths

• 90% diagnosis of chronic Hepatitis B and C

• 80% of people eligible for treatment receiving treatment

To target these numbers the WHO proposes these actions:

• Vaccination against Hepatitis B, with an important birth dose for newborns.

• Safe injection and blood safety practices.

• Harm reduction for people injecting drugs.

• Increased affordability of treatment and testing to all infected people.

India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP)

The NVHCP, launched in 2018, marks India's formal commitment to eliminating Hepatitis. Its core objectives are:

• To enhance awareness of the disease.

• To provide free care and treatment for Hepatitis B and C.

• To increase access to vaccination.

• To strengthen surveillance systems for the disease.

HEPATITIS B