World Hepatitis Day marks eight years of National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme; over 21 crore people screened and more than six lakh patients provided free treatment
TFP Bureau, New Delhi, July 28, 2026: The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare observed World Hepatitis Day 2026 on Monday, reaffirming India’s commitment to eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. The event also marked eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), launched in 2018 under the National Health Mission in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of eliminating hepatitis.
Addressing the event, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Smt. Anupriya Patel called for a “Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat” and urged the Central Government, States, Union Territories, and all stakeholders to work together to eliminate viral hepatitis within the next four years.
She said India is among the few countries providing free treatment for Hepatitis C and free management of Hepatitis B through government healthcare facilities. The Minister highlighted that the cost of medicines has been brought down significantly, while access to quality diagnostics has been expanded to ensure early diagnosis and timely treatment.
Smt. Patel said the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme has steadily expanded its reach. Treatment services, initially available at district hospitals, have now been extended to more than 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, making hepatitis screening and treatment accessible at the primary healthcare level.
Emphasising preventive healthcare, she said the Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination under the Universal Immunisation Programme has crossed 92 percent coverage. She urged all States and Union Territories to ensure 100 percent Hepatitis B screening of pregnant women so that newborns receive timely vaccination and Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG), wherever required.
Describing Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C as “silent killers,” the Minister stressed the need for greater public awareness. She also called for vaccination of healthcare workers and targeted interventions for high-risk groups to prevent chronic liver disease and liver cancer.
Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava said the programme has achieved significant milestones since its launch. More than 21 crore beneficiaries have been screened, while over six lakh patients have received free treatment under the programme. She added that 1,153 treatment centres have been established across the country, including over 70 specialised centres offering advanced care.
She further informed that more than 7.64 crore pregnant women have been screened under the programme, while around 2.24 lakh newborns of Hepatitis B-positive mothers have received Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
The Health Secretary highlighted that the programme has been implemented through convergence with the National AIDS Control Programme, the Reproductive and Child Health Programme, and the Universal Immunisation Programme, strengthening prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up services across the country.
During the event, the Ministry also released Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials, including posters on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, to enhance public awareness about the disease, its transmission, prevention, and the free services available under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme.
Senior officials of the Ministry, representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), health experts, programme officers, and officials from States and Union Territories participated in the event, both physically and virtually.
