Union Health Ministry Observes World Hepatitis Day 2026 and Marks Eight Years of National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare observed World Hepatitis Day 2026 under the global theme "Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down", marking eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP). The programme was launched on World Hepatitis Day in 2018 under the National Health Mission and reflects India's commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.3.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare & Chemicals and Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, delivered the keynote address and reaffirmed the Government of India's commitment to a Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat. She called for intensified efforts by the Government, States and all stakeholders to achieve the elimination goal. India is among the few countries providing free-of-cost treatment for Hepatitis C and management of Hepatitis B, with medicine costs reduced to less than one dollar and quality diagnostics made increasingly accessible.
Programme Achievements and Coverage Statistics
The programme has achieved significant milestones with over 21 crore beneficiaries screened and more than 6 lakh patients receiving free treatment. A total of 1,153 treatment centres have been established nationwide, surpassing the target of one treatment centre in every district, including more than 70 specialised treatment sites providing advanced care. The programme has been expanded to the country's network of more than 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, expanding access to hepatitis services at the primary healthcare level.
Preventive interventions have shown substantial progress, with Hepatitis B vaccine achieving more than 92% birth-dose coverage under the Universal Immunization Programme. Over 7.64 crore pregnant women have been screened for Hepatitis B, with 2.24 lakh newborns born to Hepatitis B-positive mothers receiving Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG) within 24 hours of birth to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
Convergence Strategy and Implementation Approach
The NVHCP leverages convergence with multiple health programmes, including the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Programme for antenatal screening and prevention of mother-to-child transmission, and the National AIDS Control Programme for outreach to high-risk populations including Injecting Drug Users (IDUs). The Universal Immunization Programme provides the Hepatitis B birth dose as well as vaccination of healthcare workers to prevent occupational transmission.
The programme utilizes the NVHCP Case-Based Management Information System (CPMIS), integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), to strengthen patient tracking, treatment and follow-up. Additional Secretary and Mission Director, NHM, Smt. Aradhana Patnaik emphasized that the programme focuses on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C with interventions aimed at early detection and treatment particularly among high-risk groups.
Future Directions and Awareness Initiatives
Smt. Anupriya Patel emphasized that while around 65% of pregnant women are currently being screened for Hepatitis B, States and Union Territories should work towards 100% screening to ensure timely administration of the Hepatitis B birth dose and HBIG. She stressed the importance of vaccinating healthcare workers and focused interventions among high-risk populations to protect vulnerable groups from chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
On the occasion, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials were released, including posters on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C highlighting modes of transmission and services available under NVHCP for dissemination across States and Union Territories. The event was attended by senior officials including Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Director General of Health Services Dr. Lavneet Gopal Krishna, WHO Representative to India Dr. Yvan J.-F. Hutin, and health officials from States and Union Territories participating virtually.