Background
National Viral Hepatitis Control Program ( NVHCP ) under the aegis of National Health Mission, was launched in July 2018.
Viral Hepatitis is recognized as an important public health problem worldwide. According to WHO estimate, Viral Hepatitis causes 1.34 million death globally in 2015, a number comparable to deaths due to tuberculosis, worldwide. In India, It is estimated that there are 40 million people suffering from Hepatitis B and 6-12 million people suffering from Hepatitis C.
The aim of the Program is to combat Hepatitis and achieve countrywide elimination
of Hepatitis C by 2030, achieve significant reduction in the infected population,
morbidity and mortality associated with Hepatitis B, C , A & E.
Brief Note
Under the program, efforts are being made to integrate the intervention within the existing health systems framework under NHM rather than adopting a vertical approach.
Key Component :
a) Preventive component :
• Awareness generation
• Immunization of Hepatitis B (Birth Dose, High risk groups, Health care workers)
• Safety of blood products, injection safety, safe socio-cultural practices.
• Safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitary toilets.
b) Diagnosis and Treatment
• Screening of Pregnant women for HBsAg.
• Free screening ,Diagnosis and Treatment for both Hepatitis B and C.
• Engagement with community/peer support to enhance and ensure
adherence to treatment and demand generation.
Guideline
National Guidelines for Diagnosis Management Viral Hepatitis
National Action Plan Combating Viral Hepatitis in India
National Laboratory Guidelines for Testing of Viral Hepatitis
Technical Guidelines for Diagnosis Management of Hepatitis-B
IEC Material
Key beneficiary
Target Groups for Hepatitis are the High risk groups such as Female Sex Worker,
MSM , Intra-venous drug users, Migrants, Truckers , PLHIV at ART centers and Transgender, Blood donors, Pregnant women & OPD patients with Liver Disease.
Events / News
Shortly viral load testing through RT-PCR for Viral Hepatitis cases would be started
at designated State Lab i.e. Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical
Sciences, Agamkuan, Patna. This would ensure the treatment and further
management of Hepatitis cases by providing them the free drugs for the treatment
Achievements
As Treatment and Diagnosis for Hepatitis B and C is costly, State Government
has ensured, RMRI, Patna as State Lab for final lab confirmation through Viral load
Testing and each District Hospital as Treatment Centre and District Lab along with
this 5 Medical Colleges & Hospitals as Treatment Centre i.e. NMCH, Patna,
JLNMCH, Bhagalpur, SKMCH, Muzaffarpur, ANMCH, Gaya & DMCH,
Darbhanga.
In addition to this 3 Medical College & Hospital in Patna i.e. AIIMS, Patna,
I.G.I.M.S, Patna & PMCH, Patna are designated as Model Treatment Centre for
Treatment of Referred Complicated Hepatitis Cases.