Relevance: GS Prelims – Health / Government Schemes & Programmes / Diseases / SDGs
About National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP)
- The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) was launched in 2018 under the National Health Mission (NHM).
- It aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, in alignment with SDG Target 3.3.
- The programme primarily focuses on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
- It adopts a comprehensive approach covering:
- Prevention
- Screening
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Follow-up
- Awareness generation
- Treatment services were initially strengthened at district health facilities, with selected institutions providing referral services for complicated cases.
- Services have subsequently been expanded to more than 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, strengthening access at the primary healthcare level.
Key Achievements under NVHCP
- More than 21 crore beneficiaries have been screened.
- Over 6 lakh patients have received free treatment.
- 1,153 treatment centres have been established, surpassing the target of one treatment centre in every district.
- More than 70 specialised treatment sites provide advanced care.
- Over 7.64 crore pregnant women have been screened for Hepatitis B.
- More than 2.24 lakh newborns born to Hepatitis B-positive mothers have received Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG).
- Hepatitis B birth-dose coverage has crossed 92%.
Hepatitis B Prevention under NVHCP
- The Hepatitis B vaccine was introduced under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in 2011.
- The programme emphasises:
- Antenatal screening of pregnant women.
- Hepatitis B birth-dose vaccination.
- Administration of HBIG within 24 hours to newborns of Hepatitis B-positive mothers.
- States and UTs have been urged to achieve 100% screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B.
- Vaccination of healthcare workers is also emphasised to prevent occupational transmission.
Focus on Hepatitis C
- NVHCP promotes early detection and treatment of Hepatitis C, particularly among high-risk groups.
- Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) are among the key high-risk groups covered through targeted interventions.
- India provides free-of-cost treatment for Hepatitis C under the programme.
SDG Linkage
- NVHCP’s 2030 elimination goal is aligned with SDG Target 3.3.
- SDG 3.3 seeks to end epidemics of major communicable diseases and includes efforts against hepatitis and other communicable diseases.
Conclusion
The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme adopts an integrated approach combining prevention, screening, treatment, maternal health interventions and digital tracking. Its convergence with existing health programmes and expansion of services through primary healthcare facilities strengthens India’s efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
| This concept has been elaborately discussed in the following article World Hepatitis Day 2026 & National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) |