India rolled out the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) last week with the aim of eliminating viral hepatitis. The disease infects and kills more than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The National Action Plan – Viral Hepatitis was launched in Mumbai by the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. Viral hepatitis is recognised as an important public health problem across the world.
According to the WHO, viral hepatitis caused 1.34 million deaths globally in 2015, a number comparable to deaths due to tuberculosis, worldwide. There are about 4 crore people suffering from Hepatitis B in India, and another 0.6 to 1.2 crore people suffering from Hepatitis C.
The programme will also focus on screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B, in places where institutional delivery is less than 80 per cent, to ensure provision of birth dose Hepatitis B vaccination and Hepatitis B immunoglobulin, if required.
Acute hepatitis due to any virus is usually self-limiting and requires a good diet, bed rest and only symptomatic treatment. Urgent hospitalisation may be required in cases of acute liver failure in acute viral hepatitis. One may also need intensive treatment and liver transplant. Chronic hepatitis B and C can be treated with antiviral drugs — oral and injectable. Hepatitis C virus is curable now and HBV can be controlled with medication. The vaccine is available for hepatitis A virus and HBV only.
