National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme

News reports that India steps up efforts under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. The programme provides for nationwide screening, diagnosis, and treatment measures for Hepatitis B and C.

National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) :

Dimension	Key Details
Definition (Hepatitis)	Hepatitis comprises inflammation of the liver caused primarily by viral infections, toxic substances (including alcohol and drugs), or autoimmune conditions.
Primary viral strains	The hepatitis virus comprises 5 main strains: A, B, C, D, and E.
Major threat drivers	Hepatitis B and C comprise the most common causes of severe, chronic liver conditions; liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer comprise direct outcomes.
Programme (NVHCP) target	NVHCP provides for eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
SDG linkage	NVHCP provides for alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, target 3.3, on combating communicable diseases, including hepatitis, HIV, and malaria.
Free screening and treatment	NVHCP provides for free screening, diagnostic testing, and antiviral medications for Hepatitis B and C nationwide.
Affordability mechanism	NVHCP provides for smart deployment of local health funds and affordable generic drugs.
Decentralisation to primary care	NVHCP provides for decentralisation of diagnostic and therapeutic services from district hospitals to local primary healthcare centres.
Inter-programmatic integration	NVHCP provides for linkage of hepatitis prevention with existing national health programmes, including reproductive and child health, and injection safety protocols.