New Delhi: On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced that India is taking strong and focused steps to combat hepatitis, a major global public health issue.
World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and to encourage prevention, testing, and treatment. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, caused by infectious viruses and other factors, that can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage and liver cancer.
“This day gives us an important opportunity to spread awareness about hepatitis and its preventive measures,” said Health Minister Nadda in a post on social media platform X. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is making major efforts through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme to protect lives and eliminate the disease.”
This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” highlights the need to remove social, financial, and systemic barriers that prevent progress in fighting hepatitis. One of the biggest obstacles remains low testing and treatment coverage, which must be improved to achieve the global target of eliminating hepatitis by 2030.
India bears a significant share of the global hepatitis burden. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, the country reported nearly 2.98 crore hepatitis B cases and 55 lakh hepatitis C cases, placing it second only to China in terms of global case numbers. India accounted for 11.6 percent of the global hepatitis burden that year.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, echoed the need for awareness and education. “We must renew our commitment to spreading knowledge about hepatitis so that people are empowered to prevent and manage it,” he said. “Through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, India is making steady progress in early detection, timely treatment, and prevention.”
There are five main types of hepatitis viruses – A, B, C, D, and E. Although they all affect the liver, they differ in terms of how they spread, how severe the illness is, where they are most common, and how they can be prevented.
World Hepatitis Day serves as a reminder that eliminating hepatitis requires action at every level – from individual awareness to national health policy – to break down the barriers that hinder progress and protect people from life-threatening liver disease.