What happened on World Hepatitis Day 2026
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare observed World Hepatitis Day 2026 with the event theme “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down”, marking eight years of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP). Ministry officials said the programme aims to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, aligned with SDG Target 3.3.
Programme origins and earlier position
NVHCP was launched on World Hepatitis Day in 2018 under the National Health Mission (NHM). NVHCP focuses on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, with prevention of mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B and early detection and treatment for Hepatitis C, especially in high-risk groups.
What the Ministry says has progressed over eight years
Related current affairs
- India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme: health systems approach to screening and free treatment
- Affordable and Accessible Healthcare for All
- RBSK 2.0 guidelines expanded to address childhood non-communicable diseases and obesity-related concerns
- NAM: Upgrading Ayush dispensaries and operationalization of Ayush Health & Wellness Centres as Ayushman Arogya Mandir
- Anemia and nutrition/child health interventions under NHM (AMB, MAA, HBNC/HBYC, Mission Poshan 2.0)
- Maternal, neonatal and child health measures under NHM (JSY, JSSK, PMSMA, SUMAN, postnatal care)