Hepatitis B and C Elimination in India by 2030

Subject: GS 03: Science

Context: India has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminate Hepatitis B and C as public-health threats by 2030, emphasising prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.

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About Hepatitis

• Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, commonly caused by viral infections, but also by alcohol, toxins and autoimmune conditions.
• Types of Viral Hepatitis (UPSC CSE 2019)
  • Hepatitis A (HAV): HAV spreads mainly through the faecal-oral route, particularly through contaminated food and water, and usually causes an acute, self-limiting infection.
  • Hepatitis B (HBV): HBV spreads through infected blood and body fluids, including sexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission during childbirth (similar to HIV Transmission), and can become chronic.
  • Hepatitis C (HCV): HCV is primarily transmitted through infected blood, including unsafe injections and contaminated blood products, and frequently causes chronic liver disease.
  • Hepatitis D (HDV): HDV is a defective virus that requires Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for replication and therefore occurs only with HBV infection.
  • Hepatitis E (HEV): HEV is mainly transmitted through contaminated food and water and can cause severe disease, particularly during pregnancy.
• Treatment
  • Hepatitis A and E are generally self-limiting and are managed mainly through supportive care.
  • Hepatitis B can be controlled with long-term antiviral therapy, while Hepatitis C is generally curable using Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs).
• Prevention
  • Vaccination is available against Hepatitis A and B, while Hepatitis B vaccination also prevents Hepatitis D.
  • Safe water, sanitation and hygiene help prevent Hepatitis A and E, while safe blood, sterile needles and safer sexual practices reduce transmission of Hepatitis B and C.
    • There is currently no vaccine available for Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis Burden in India: India accounts for over 11% of the global hepatitis burden, with an estimated 40 million chronic HBV infections and 6–12 million chronic HCV infections.
  • The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) provides free diagnosis and treatment through public health facilities.
• Target to Eliminate Hepatitis: India has committed to eliminating Hepatitis B and C as public-health threats by 2030, aligned with SDG 3.3.

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