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The Health Ministry observed World Hepatitis Day 2026 (theme 'Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down') on 28 July, marking eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), launched on World Hepatitis Day 2018 to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 (SDG Target 3.3).
Since inception, NVHCP has screened over 21 crore beneficiaries and treated more than 6 lakh patients free of cost, and now runs 1,153 treatment centres including 70+ specialised sites — surpassing its one-treatment-centre-per-district target.
Hepatitis B birth-dose coverage has crossed 92%, though only around 65% of pregnant women are currently screened for Hepatitis B — the Ministry has urged States/UTs to reach 100% screening. 7.64 crore pregnant women have been screened and 2.24 lakh newborns of Hepatitis B-positive mothers given HBIG.
India is among the few countries offering free Hepatitis C treatment and Hepatitis B management, with medicine costs reduced to under one US dollar.
Prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and elimination of viral hepatitis (A-E) as a public health threat by 2030
Key: Launched 28.07.2018 under NHM; expanded to 1.85 lakh+ Ayushman Arogya Mandirs; uses the CPMIS case-management system, integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM); converges with the RCH Programme and National AIDS Control Programme
Free vaccination, including the Hepatitis B birth dose
Key: Hepatitis B vaccine introduced in 2011; birth-dose coverage now above 92%
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable viral infection transmitted via blood, body fluids and mother-to-child, managed through lifelong monitoring/antivirals. Hepatitis C has no vaccine but is now curable with a course of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs — which is why India's free Hepatitis C treatment programme is globally significant
Simple Analogy: Hepatitis B is like a chronic condition kept in check with vaccination and control; Hepatitis C is like an infection that, unlike B, can now be fully cured with a course of medicines
GS Paper 2 > Health > National Health Programmes; GS Paper 3 > SDGs
Annual — World Hepatitis Day releases recur every 28 July
National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme — India's programme to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030
Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin — given within 24 hours to newborns of Hepatitis B-positive mothers to prevent transmission