The Union Health Ministry today observed World Hepatitis Day 2026, marking 8 years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP). The programme, launched in 2018 under the National Health Mission, aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Addressing the event in New Delhi, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieving a Hepatitis-Mukt Bharat. She said India is among the few countries providing free treatment for Hepatitis C and free management of Hepatitis B. She added that hepatitis screening and treatment services have now been expanded to more than one lakh 85 thousand Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, improving access to care across the country.
The Minister said Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination coverage has crossed 92 per cent. She urged States and Union Territories to ensure 100 per cent screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B and to step up awareness on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C for early detection and timely treatment. On the occasion, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava said that under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, over 21 crore people have been screened, more than six lakh patients treated and one thousand 153 treatment centres established across the country. She added that over seven crore 64 lakh pregnant women have also been screened under the programme.
During the event, the Ministry also released Information, Education and Communication materials on viral hepatitis, highlighting its modes of transmission and the services available under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme for wider dissemination across States and Union Territories.
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