Breaking Barriers and Stigma to Eliminate Hepatitis as Public Health Threat

As the world observed Hepatitis Day earlier this week to create awareness about this deadly virus and encourage diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, Union Health Minister JP Nadda stated that India is taking strong steps to combat this public health challenge through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 1.3 million people die from viral hepatitis each year, making it one of the world’s deadliest viruses. More than 2 million new cases are reported annually, with over 300 million people living with the virus. The WHO also reported that India has the second highest number of hepatitis B and C cases globally, only next to China, registering 2.98 crore hepatitis B cases and 55 lakh hepatitis C cases in 2022, accounting for 11.6 per cent of the global hepatitis burden for that year. As for Nagaland, a health official has revealed that the state’s hepatitis B prevalence stands at 2.4%, hepatitis C at 4.01%, and hepatitis B among pregnant women at 0.8%, while Dimapur has the highest prevalence of hepatitis B and C among the districts, attributed to its diverse and cosmopolitan population. This staggering figure serves as a stark reminder of the growing need for prompt and coordinated action to achieve the global goal of eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. The world is actively working towards this goal, but progress has been slow.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can lead to severe liver disease, including cancer. There are five main strains: A, B, C, D, and E, each with different transmission methods. Hepatitis B and C are primarily transmitted through infected blood and bodily fluids; Hepatitis D is transmitted only to those carrying the Hepatitis B virus; whereas Hepatitis A and E are generally spread through contaminated food or water. Symptoms of hepatitis infection include fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting. Hepatitis, particularly types B and C, can be deadly, but it can also be treated through lifestyle changes, supportive care, and transplantation. In addition to aggressive awareness campaigns and publicity, the Government of India launched the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) in 2018 to combat the disease through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, in line with the global commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This programme provides free treatment and diagnostics for hepatitis at several designated facilities across the country, as well as hepatitis B vaccines for newborns, high-risk groups, and healthcare workers. Preventive measures such as vaccination, safe sex, and good hygiene practices are crucial for eliminating hepatitis. It is also important to break the silence and stigma associated with the disease to eliminate it as a public health threat.