What the Government announced under NVHCP (free screening and treatment)
PIB says India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme uses a health systems approach to prevent hepatitis infections and provide services, including free drugs and diagnostics, to people affected with hepatitis. PIB also states that NVHCP integrates with other national programmes to strengthen prevention, diagnosis, and care across the country.
Key service delivery features highlighted by PIB include: preventive, promotive, and curative interventions; awareness generation; increased access to diagnosis and treatment; and a paperless recording and reporting system for patient management and monitoring through the NVHCP-MIS portal.
What hepatitis is and why it matters for public health
PIB defines hepatitis as inflammation of the liver, caused by hepatitis viruses (and also other infections), toxic substances such as alcohol and drugs, and autoimmune diseases. PIB notes that five hepatitis viruses are important for national planning: hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis D (HDV), and hepatitis E (HEV).
PIB states that hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common types and can lead to chronic disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.