India's Comprehensive Strategy to Eliminate Hepatitis by 2030

New Delhi, India Jul 27, 2026 ALN: India is stepping up efforts to combat viral hepatitis through a public health strategy focused on prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment. With the goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health concern by 2030, the government is implementing the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), which provides free screening, diagnostic services, and medicines to people affected by the disease. The programme also aims to strengthen awareness, prevention measures, and access to healthcare services across the country.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by hepatitis viruses, excessive alcohol consumption, certain medicines, toxins, or autoimmune conditions. The liver is a vital organ responsible for various functions, including detoxifying harmful substances, producing bile for digestion, and regulating metabolism. When the liver becomes inflamed, it can lead to a range of health issues, including liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer if left untreated.

There are five major types of hepatitis viruses — Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Among these, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are the most serious public health concerns as they can become chronic infections and may lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis A and E are typically associated with acute infections that resolve on their own but can still pose significant health risks, particularly in areas with inadequate sanitation.

Recognising hepatitis as a major health challenge, the Government of India launched the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme in 2018 to provide prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services across the country. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to addressing non-communicable diseases and improving overall public health outcomes in India.

How does hepatitis spread?

The transmission and prevention methods vary depending on the type of hepatitis virus:

• Hepatitis A and E: These viruses mainly spread through contaminated food and water due to poor sanitation. Prevention includes ensuring access to safe drinking water, promoting hygiene, and implementing sanitation practices. These infections are usually self-limiting and require supportive care such as hydration and proper nutrition. Public health campaigns emphasizing handwashing and safe food preparation are essential in reducing the incidence of these types of hepatitis.
• Hepatitis B: It is commonly transmitted from an infected mother to a child during birth and through contact with infected blood, blood products, and body fluids. Hepatitis B is vaccine-preventable, with vaccination provided under the Universal Immunisation Programme. The vaccine includes a birth dose within 24 hours of birth, followed by doses at 6, 10, and 14 weeks. Education about safe sex practices and the importance of screening for pregnant women are also crucial in preventing the spread of this virus.
• Hepatitis C: It spreads mainly through exposure to infected blood, unsafe injections, medical procedures, and sharing of needles. There is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C, but the infection can be cured in most patients within 12 to 24 weeks using Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) medicines. Efforts to reduce the transmission of Hepatitis C often focus on harm reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programs and safe injection practices.
• Hepatitis D: This infection occurs only among people already infected with Hepatitis B. Preventing Hepatitis B through vaccination also protects against Hepatitis D. Therefore, the control of Hepatitis B infection is critical in reducing the incidence of Hepatitis D.

Scale of hepatitis infection in India

According to India’s 2021 HIV Sentinel Surveillance, around 0.85% of samples tested positive for Hepatitis B, while 0.29% tested positive for Hepatitis C. This translates to approximately one in 118 people testing positive for Hepatitis B and one in 345 people testing positive for Hepatitis C among those tested. These figures highlight the ongoing challenge that viral hepatitis poses to public health in India, particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to healthcare services may be limited.

Globally, an estimated 287 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B or C in 2024. The disease claimed 1.3 million lives that year, while nearly 2 million new infections continue to occur annually. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, only 45% of newborns received the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth in 2024, leaving millions of infants vulnerable to infection. This underscores the need for enhanced vaccination efforts and public awareness campaigns to ensure that more individuals are protected from these potentially life-threatening viruses.

National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme: India’s strategy

The NVHCP focuses on prevention, awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of viral hepatitis. The programme covers Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and aims to ensure that people requiring care receive timely services. By integrating hepatitis services into existing healthcare frameworks, the programme seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public health responses.

Key measures under the programme include:

• Free testing and treatment facilities for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C patients, which aim to reduce the financial burden on affected individuals and encourage more people to seek care.
• Awareness campaigns to promote prevention and early diagnosis, targeting high-risk populations and general communities to increase knowledge about transmission routes and preventive measures.
• Paperless patient tracking and monitoring through the NVHCP-MIS portal, which enhances data management and enables better tracking of patient outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Disease surveillance for Hepatitis A and E through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, which helps to identify outbreaks and implement timely responses.

Role of other health programmes

India’s hepatitis response is supported by several national health initiatives:

• Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition programme: Ensures universal screening of pregnant women for Hepatitis B, which is essential for preventing mother-to-child transmission.
• Universal Immunisation Programme: Provides Hepatitis B birth doses to newborns and Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) to babies born to infected mothers, establishing a critical line of defense against infection.
• National AIDS Control Programme: Screens high-risk groups for Hepatitis B and C and supports preventive vaccination measures, thereby integrating hepatitis care into broader disease control efforts.
• National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme: Utilises existing molecular testing facilities for hepatitis diagnosis, leveraging infrastructure to enhance diagnostic capabilities.
• Blood Transfusion Services: Ensures linkage of Hepatitis B and C positive blood donors with healthcare services, which is vital for managing and treating affected individuals.

Making treatment accessible

Since the launch of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme in 2018, India has expanded access to free screening and treatment services for Hepatitis B and C. The availability of affordable generic medicines and integration with existing healthcare programmes has helped extend services from district hospitals to local health centres. This decentralization of services is crucial for reaching populations in remote and underserved areas.

The programme also operates a toll-free helpline number, 1800-11-6666, providing information on hepatitis prevention, transmission, treatment, and available healthcare facilities. This initiative aims to empower individuals with knowledge and resources to seek help and support.

India’s approach combines vaccination, awareness, early diagnosis, affordable treatment, and community participation. By strengthening healthcare systems and ensuring services reach people at the grassroots level, the country is working towards its 2030 target of reducing the burden of viral hepatitis and ensuring better liver health for all citizens. Achieving this goal will require sustained commitment from the government, healthcare providers, and communities to enhance prevention efforts, improve access to care, and eliminate stigma associated with hepatitis infections.