India is intensifying its campaign to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, with the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) at the centre of these efforts, according to organiser.org.
The programme, which operates under the country's broader health strategy, focuses on prevention, screening, and treatment of viral hepatitis. Recent activities tied to World Hepatitis Day, observed in late July, highlight the push. In Bhubaneswar, officials stressed the need to eliminate misinformation and stigma surrounding the disease, as reported by The New Indian Express. Meanwhile, News On AIR noted that India has stepped up its overall response to the viral infection, aligning with global targets set by the World Health Organization.
The NVHCP's approach includes expanding access to testing and antiviral therapies, particularly for hepatitis B and C, which are the most common strains in the country. Public awareness campaigns are also a key component, aiming to correct misconceptions that can deter people from seeking care. The programme's progress is seen as critical to meeting the 2030 deadline, a goal that requires sustained political will and community engagement.
Additional local actions underscore the momentum. In Mohali, the Postgraduate Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (PILBS) planned a liver health camp, according to The Times of India. In Chennai, the Ripon Buildings were illuminated green to mark World Hepatitis Day, a symbolic gesture reported by The Hindu. These events reflect a coordinated effort across states to keep hepatitis in the public eye.
What to watch next: Whether India can translate awareness drives into measurable reductions in new infections and deaths over the next four years.
