PIB TrackerToward a 'Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat': 21 crore screened in eight years
Marking World Hepatitis Day and eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, the Health Ministry reported over 21 crore people screened and 1,153 treatment centres — with India among the few countries giving free hepatitis C treatment.
What happened
- The Health Ministry observed World Hepatitis Day 2026, marking eight years of the NVHCP.
- Over 21 crore beneficiaries screened; more than 6 lakh patients treated.
- 1,153 treatment centres established and 7.64 crore pregnant women screened.
- Hepatitis B birth-dose coverage has crossed 92%.
- India is among the few countries providing free hepatitis C treatment; the goal is elimination by 2030.
For Prelims
- NVHCP: the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, launched 2018; World Hepatitis Day is 28 July.
- Progress: 21 crore+ screened, 6 lakh+ treated, 1,153 treatment centres, 7.64 crore pregnant women screened.
- Hepatitis B birth dose: coverage crossed 92% — key to preventing mother-to-child transmission.
- Free treatment: India provides free hepatitis C treatment and hepatitis B management.
- The disease: five main hepatitis viruses; B and C are most common and cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.
- Convergence: with the RCH Programme and the National AIDS Control Programme; elimination target 2030 (SDG).
For UPSC: A public-health item. Use it for the NVHCP and disease-elimination targets, SDG-3 and the 2030 hepatitis goal, free diagnostics and treatment as health-equity tools, and programme convergence in public health.
What it is NOT: This is a programme stock-take on World Hepatitis Day — not a declaration that hepatitis has been eliminated; the 2030 elimination goal is still ahead.
For Mains
Syllabus: GS2.13 · GS2.12 · Linkage L1
Anchor
A silent epidemic, screened at scale — India's push for a hepatitis-free future.
Substantiation (data)
Eight years of NVHCP: 21 crore+ screened, 6 lakh+ treated, 1,153 treatment centres, 7.64 crore pregnant women screened, 92%+ birth-dose coverage.
Exemplification
Free hepatitis C treatment and convergence with the RCH and AIDS control programmes show integrated health-system delivery.
Problematisation
Undiagnosed chronic infection, awareness gaps and the need for 100% screening of pregnant women remain obstacles.
Way-forward
Universalise antenatal screening and birth-dose vaccination, expand treatment access and sustain awareness toward 2030.
Position
Free diagnostics and treatment for a stigmatised, silent disease is health equity in practice.
Deploys into: Health + vulnerable sections (GS2.13, GS2.12) · the NVHCP, SDG-3 disease elimination, free treatment as health equity and programme convergence.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare · 2026-07-28 · PRID 2290400 · PIB source ↗