IASNOVA
February,2019
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched National Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis
The Plan provides a strategic framework, based on which National Viral Hepatitis Control Program was launched in 2018 under National Health Mission.
It is in line with the Government of India’s deep commitment towards elimination of viral hepatitis.
National Viral Hepatitis Control Program
– Its goal is ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat in the country by 2030.
– It aims to reduce morbidity and mortality due to viral hepatitis.
The key strategies include:
– Preventive and promotive interventions with focus on awareness generation, safe injection practices and socio-cultural practices, sanitation and hygiene, safe drinking water supply, infection control and immunization
– Co-ordination and collaboration with different Ministries and departments
– Promoting diagnosis and providing treatment support for patients of hepatitis B & C
– Building capacities at national, state, district levels and sub-district level up to Primary Health Centres (PHC) and health and wellness centres such that the program can be scaled up till the lowest level of the healthcare facility in a phased manner.
What is Hepatitis?
– It is an inflammation of the liver often cause by virus and other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs).
– There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
– Viral hepatitis types B and C can cause chronic hepatitis and are responsible for 96% of overall hepatitis mortality while Hepatitis A and E usually cause acute hepatitis.
– Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water.
– Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of contact with infected body fluids such as during receiving blood, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment, transmission from mother to baby at birth, sexual contact etc.
– There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A, B and E. However, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
– Also, Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections occur only in those who are infected with Hepatitis B Virus.
– The infections can progress to other health complications and liver cancers.
– The challenge in eliminating chronic viral hepatitis is due to the infected person being unaware of their chronic carrier status and to the potential for them to continue to infect others for decades.
