India's Fight to Combat Hepatitis
Prelims:
Science & Technology, Health, Government Schemes
Mains:
GS Paper II- Public Health, GS Paper III- Science and Technology
Current
relevance:
India is strengthening its efforts to achieve the 2030 goal of combating
hepatitis through the National Viral Hepatitis
Control Programme (NVHCP) by integrating prevention, screening, diagnosis, and free treatment
services with various national health programmes.
Highlights:
1. Hepatitis:
i.
It
is an inflammation of the liver caused by hepatitis viruses, other infections,
toxic substances such as alcohol and drugs, and autoimmune diseases.
ii.
The
five main hepatitis viruses are Hepatitis A,
B, C, D, and E, of which Hepatitis B and C are the most common
and can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
2.
National Viral Hepatitis
Control Programme (NVHCP):
i.
Launched in 2018, aims
to combat hepatitis by providing screening, diagnosis, treatment,
free drugs, and diagnostic services through an integrated health systems
approach in convergence with various national health programmes.
ii.
Its key focus areas include awareness
generation, improved access to healthcare, diagnosis, and treatment for all
eligible individuals.
3.
Prevention and Disease
Management
i.
Hepatitis A and E are primarily prevented through safe drinking water, sanitation, and
hygiene measures.
ii.
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable disease covered under the Universal
Immunisation Programme (UIP).
iii.
Hepatitis C prevention focuses on safe injection practices and harm reduction
measures, while treatment is provided using Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA)
drugs.
iv.
Hepatitis D is prevented by preventing Hepatitis B infection through
Hepatitis B vaccination.
4. The NVHCP is integrated with multiple national programmes to
strengthen prevention and management:
i.
Integrated Disease
Surveillance Programme (IDSP) for
monitoring Hepatitis A and E.
ii.
Reproductive, Maternal,
Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition Programme for universal screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B.
iii.
Universal Immunisation
Programme (UIP) to ensure Hepatitis B
birth-dose vaccination and Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG) for eligible
newborns.
iv.
National AIDS Control
Programme (NACP) for screening high-risk
groups and Hepatitis B vaccination of healthcare workers.
v.
National Tuberculosis
Elimination Programme (NTEP) for
molecular testing using existing diagnostic infrastructure.
vi.
Blood Transfusion
Services for linking Hepatitis B and C positive
blood donors to appropriate care.
Source: PIB
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2289761®=48&lang=1