Latest news with #NationalViralHepatitisControlProgramme
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dist health dept ramps up hepatitis screening and awareness
1 2 Ranchi: The Ranchi district health department has intensified surveillance, screening, and awareness measures against hepatitis under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP). It has targeted information, education, communication campaigns in schools, community centres, and health facilities. Health workers, including ASHAs and ANMs, are conducting household visits and educational talks to demystify hepatitis, promote vaccination, and guide high-risk individuals to testing centres. Experts said hepatitis, a liver disease caused by viral infections, alcohol consumption, and genetic disposition, continues to be a pressing health concern. Civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said, "Viral hepatitis is a silent danger that often goes undetected until irreversible liver damage has occurred. We are working to ensure early detection and access to treatment for all through free diagnostics and care at govt facilities." In the 2023–24 financial year, Hepatitis B screening (excluding pregnant women) began in June 2023 with 344 samples tested. The number rose to 607 in July 2023, 815 in December 2023, 1,026 in February 2024, and 686 in March 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo In the 2024-25 financial year, 2,032 samples were screened in April 2024, 4,114 in May 2024, and 2,558 in June 2024. Samples screened ranged from 2,210 to 3,138 per month between July 2024 and March 2025. A total numnber of 3,138 samples were screened in September 2024, the highest figure in this period. The district also reported a rise in Hepatitis C (Anti-HCV) testing, with 2,141 samples tested in April 2024, 3,418 in May 2024, and 2,513 in June 2024. Testing figures remaining above 2,400 in most months, peaking at 2,969 in December 2024. While only 12 positive cases were reported in April 2024, 962 were recorded in May 2024. A total of 63 positive cases were detected in February 2025 and 19 in March 2025. Pregnant women, a priority group for early detection to prevent vertical transmission, were also increasingly covered. A total of 252 pregnant women were tested in April 2023, 1,539 in March 2024. In 2024–25 financial year, 1,773 pregnant women were tested in April and an average of 1,500 to 2,800 throughout the year. District data manager Sanjay Tiwari said, "The data shows that an increasing number of people are coming forward for testing. We offer free screening for Hepatitis B and C and immediate linkage to treatment." The head of hematology dept with the Ranchi Sadar Hospital, Dr Abhishek Ranjan, said, "Hepatitis A and E, often caused by contaminated water or food, remain a concern in rural areas, particularly during the monsoon. People should not delay testing, especially if they have a history of unsafe injections, blood transfusions."
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
State sees a fall in seroprevalence of Hepatitis B, says nodal officer
Andhra Pradesh has seen a fall in seroprevalence of Hepatitis B from 2.39% in 2021 to 1.8% in 2024, and the government is focussed on reducing the rate further by raising awareness, said S. Neelima, State Nodal Officer for the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme. World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 to raise awareness on the liver infection caused by five types of viruses A, B, C, D and E. Speaking to The Hindu on this occasion, Dr. Neelima said that out of the five viruses, Hepatitis B is more prevalent in the State. According to information, out of 63,81,384 people screened for Hepatitis B in the State from 2020 till date, more than 46,000 have tested positive and 6,750 of them have received treatment during this period. In 2021, the National Programme for Surveillance of Viral Hepatitis, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, released a report on the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C among the people in the country. In the report, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were reported as having the highest prevalence of 2.39%, which was higher than the national seroprevalence of 0.95%. 'While the rate decreased to 1.8% in 2024, more cases are getting detected in the State these days as the government has increased screening tests for people,' Dr. Neelima said. In the 2021 report, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana also reported higher seroprevalence of Hepatitis C at 0.44%, while the national rate stood at 0.32%. A little above 5,000 people have received treatment for Hepatitis C between 2020 and 2025. Explaining how the liver infection spreads, Dr. Neelima said that Hepatitis A and E are caused through contaminated food or water, Hepatitis B and C are spread through contact with infected body fluids and through unprotected sexual contact and can also transmit from mother to child. The infection can also spread through contaminated needles. Therefore, awareness is being raised about it at saloons and tattoo studios, she said. While there is a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B, which is given to babies at birth, there is no vaccine for C, considered the most dangerous. However, cure is available for people with Hepatitis C, she added. Since the viruses are asymptomatic, people can be silent carriers. 'Therefore, before every surgical procedure or blood transfusion, an individual is mandatorily screened for Hepatitis B and C. Every pregnant woman is also tested for the same,' the nodal officer said. Sex workers, drug users and those who get tattoos are generally considered to be at higher risk, she said. She added that in addition to increasing screenings, the State government has made the tests accessible at all government hospitals free of charge. There are 31 treatment centres in the State, she said, where people can go for testing.
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Free hepatitis screening & awareness camp held
Prayagraj: A free health camp to mark the World Hepatitis Day was organised by 1 UP Medical Company of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), in collaboration with Motilal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj at the Community Health Centre, Shankargarh on Monday. The camp aimed to raise awareness, conduct screenings and provide necessary medical services to residents of rural areas. Around 300 people took part in the camp. The theme for this year's campaign under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) was "Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down," focusing on overcoming social, economic, and systemic barriers to expand access to vaccination, testing and treatment among the general population. Media in charge of MLN Medical College, Dr Santosh Singh, Lieutenant Dr Reena Sachan, associate officer NCC 1 UP Medical Company and head of the microbiology department at MLNMC, emphasised the critical role of vaccination in preventing hepatitis. She explained that safe and effective vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B. Newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine immediately after birth, and high-risk groups such as healthcare workers, pregnant women and people in contact with infected patients should also be vaccinated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Interested in Investing? Cyprus Offers Many Options Cyprus Invest | Search ads Undo Dr Sachan elaborated on hepatitis symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, mild fever, dark urine, yellowing of eyes and skin (jaundice), pale stools, and joint pain. These symptoms may appear gradually and sometimes lead to severe complications. Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer while hepatitis B and C spread through infected blood, needles, or organ transplants. Hepatitis E poses risks to pregnant women, potentially causing complications during childbirth. Early testing, caution, and vaccination can prevent these diseases effectively. The success of the camp was greatly supported by all doctors, nursing staff, and NCC cadets who worked actively throughout the event.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
From 'mild jaundice' to liver transplants: How Hepatitis A is turning deadly for adults in India
Hepatitis viruses B and C have long been regarded as the more dangerous members of the hepatitis family due to their association with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, hepatologists in Mumbai are now observing a surprising shift in the pattern of infections. While new Hepatitis C cases are dwindling, Hepatitis A, once associated primarily with mild childhood jaundice, is now causing severe illness in adults. 'Hepatitis A is emerging as a major threat, causing significant liver disease in adults and, in rare cases, liver failure,' said Dr Akash Shukla, head of gastroenterology at the BMC-run KEM Hospital, Parel, and a member of the technical resource group for the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme , in an interview with The Times of India (TOI). Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Degree Finance Leadership healthcare Product Management Operations Management Public Policy CXO Project Management Others Data Analytics Technology Healthcare Data Science Digital Marketing Management Data Science MCA PGDM Artificial Intelligence others MBA Cybersecurity Design Thinking Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details Dr Aabha Nagral, senior hepatologist, concurred, telling TOI, 'As living standards improve in India, especially in urban centres like Mumbai, many individuals are not exposed to the Hepatitis A virus in childhood. As a result, they don't develop immunity, and adult infections can be much more severe.' Hepatitis C: On the Brink of Elimination? Since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral treatment under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme in July 2018, doctors report a drastic fall in new Hepatitis C infections. 'New cases are becoming rare, which suggests the national programme has been effective,' Dr Shukla told TOI. According to data from Maharashtra's health department, over 28 lakh people were tested for Hepatitis C in 2024–2025, with 9,476 testing positive. Of these, 2,102 have commenced the curative three-month course. By comparison, only 1,339 Hepatitis C cases were recorded in 2021–2022. Live Events Dr Parijat Gupte, a gastroenterologist at Jupiter Hospital in Thane, attributed the drop to improved screening at blood banks and increased public awareness. 'There are virtually no new infections. We recommend that people who underwent blood transfusions before 2000 get tested, as they can now be treated and cured,' he said. Doctors remain optimistic that Hepatitis C could be eliminated by 2030, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) targets. Hepatitis B Remains a Major Concern While progress has been made on Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B remains a formidable challenge. WHO has set a goal of reducing hepatitis cases by 95% by 2030, but experts believe that Hepatitis B could take 'a decade or more' to show meaningful decline. 'Hepatitis B is one of the most infectious viruses, with a tendency to reactivate. Current treatment aims to suppress the virus rather than eliminate it,' Dr Shukla explained to TOI. State health data reveals that confirmed Hepatitis B cases rose sharply, from 9,000 in 2021–2022 to over 65,000 in 2024–2025, including 23,000 among pregnant women. Dr Sharan Shivaji Narute from Medicover Hospitals, Pune, highlighted the case of a 53-year-old man who required a liver transplant after battling chronic Hepatitis B. 'At one point, we were draining up to 13 litres of fluid from his body each session. In June 2024, his son donated a portion of his liver. The transplant was a success,' he said. Testing Uptick and Expanded Access Increased testing capacity is reshaping India's hepatitis outlook. Shiva Sriram of Molbio Diagnostics told TOI that improved diagnostics have made a significant impact. Their Truenat machines saw a 150% rise in Hepatitis B tests (from 3,060 to 7,705) and a five-fold jump in Hepatitis C tests (from 475 to 2,475) between 2023–24 and 2024–25 in Maharashtra. Though tests for Hepatitis A and E remain relatively low despite seasonal spikes, especially during monsoon, Sriram anticipates this will change as the Union Government is reportedly planning to deploy Truenat machines to all 40,000 primary health centres in the next two years. Pregnant Women at Increased Risk Doctors warn that pregnant women are especially vulnerable to Hepatitis A and E, which are primarily spread through contaminated food and water. A recent case in Pune underscored the risk. A 32-year-old pregnant woman admitted with vomiting and fever was initially misdiagnosed with morning sickness. Elevated liver enzymes revealed it was Hepatitis A. 'She had a history of eating food from outside. Her eyes and urine were bright yellow. Fortunately, she responded well to intravenous fluids and medication,' said Dr Padma Srivastava, her gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, in a statement to TOI. Dr Nitin Gupte, gynaecologist at Apollo Spectra in Pune, added that 2 to 3 out of every 10 pregnant women in his outpatient department show symptoms of hepatitis. 'It can even affect the unborn child,' he cautioned. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Hepatitis A is getting serious, C is on the decline, but B remains a concern
Mumbai/Pune: Hepatitis viruses B and C have always been "scarier" than their siblings A, D, and E due to their link to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, hepatologists in Mumbai are now noticing subtle changes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While new cases of are becoming scarce, Hepatitis A—associated with childhood jaundice— is severely affecting adults. "Hepatitis A is emerging as a big enemy, causing liver disease in adults and, in some rare cases, failure," said Dr Akash Shukla, head of gastroenterology in BMC-run KEM Hospital, Parel, and a member of the technical resource group for the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme. Senior hepatologist Dr Aabha Nagral concurred: "As the general standard of living in India, especially metros such as Mumbai, has improved, people are no longer getting exposed to the hepatitis A virus in their childhood. They don't gain immunity against it and hence could suffer from severe disease if affected in adulthood." Hep C elimination by 2030? Almost six years after the direct-acting antiviral Hepatitis C treatment—a "sureshot cure"—was made available for free through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme in July 2018, there are fewer new patients coming in at private hospitals. "New patients coming in with Hepatitis C has dropped, indicating that the national programme has worked well," said Dr Shukla. Data from the state health department shows that 28 lakh people across the state were tested for Hepatitis C in 2024-2025, with 9,476 testing positive. Of these, 8,270 were subjected to further tests, and 2,102 were started on the three-month curative treatment. Incidentally, in 2021-2022, the state had 1,339 Hepatitis C cases. Gastroenterologist Dr Parijat Gupte from Jupiter Hospital, Thane, attributes "nil" new Hepatitis C infections to better protocols at blood banks and awareness about sharing of needles. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Ideally, people who underwent blood transfusions before 2000 (when testing donated blood for the virus became mandatory) should be asked to undergo a test for the virus. They can be put on treatment and cured," he said. In other words, Hepatitis C could be eliminated by 2030 as per the World Health Organisation's schedule, said doctors. Hep B still scary The WHO has a clear target for hepatitis viruses: A 95% reduction in cases by 2030. But Hepatitis B, considered to be one of the most infectious viruses, is still a "decade or more" away from any reduction in incidence, said doctors. This is because of its peculiar genetic structure and ability to reactivate; present treatment focuses on checking the multiplication of the virus and preventing liver cirrhosis and cancer. Maharashtra health department data shows the number of confirmed Hepatitis B cases went up from 9,000 in 2021-2022 to 65,000 last year, including 23,000 pregnant women. Dr Sharan Shivaji Narute from Medicover Hospitals, Pune, spoke about a 53-year-old male who underwent a liver transplant after suffering from Hepatitis B since Feb 2021. "We would need to drain up to 13 litres of fluid from his body each time. In June 2024, his son donated part of his liver, and the transplant was a success," said the doctor, adding untreated or late-diagnosed Hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver transplants in the world. More testing Shiva Sriram from Molbio Diagnostics said better availability of diagnostic facilities has brought about a change in the hepatitis situation in the country. Testing through the company's Truenat machines available in Maharashtra saw a 150% spike in Hepatitis B tests (from 3,060 to 7,705) and a five-fold increase in Hepatitis C tests (from 475 to 2,475) from 2023-24 to 2024-25. Tests for Hepatitis A and E were relatively low despite seasonal outbreaks, particularly during monsoon. But Sriram expects this to change as the union govt has reportedly decided to provide a Truenat machine in each of the 40,000 primary health centres across the country in the next two years. Pregnant are vulnerable When a 32-year-old pregnant woman was recently admitted to a hospital in Pune with fever and vomiting, it was initially misconstrued as morning sickness. However, her elevated liver enzymes showed Hepatitis A. "She had a history of eating outside food. Her eyes and urine were bright yellow. Fortunately, she could be treated through IV fluids and medicines," said Dr Padma Srivastava, the gynaecologist treating her at Motherhood Hospitals. Hepatitis E and A, commonly reported during rains, are caused through contaminated water and food. Gynaecologist Dr Nitin Gupte from Apollo Spectra in Pune said, "In our OPD, 2 to 3 out of 10 pregnant women present with hepatitis symptoms." Hepatitis will even affect the kid, said doctors.
