| Syllabus: GS-III, Subject: Science & Technology, Topic: Medical science and Health, Issue: India’s Hepatitis challenge |
Context: A World Health Organization report has flagged the seriousness of India’s Hepatitis challenge.
India’s Hepatitis burden:
- India has the world’s second-highest burden of Hepatitis B and C, with over 3 crore and 50 lakh patients respectively.
Key challenges:
- Hepatitis B carriers may remain asymptomatic for years, complicating diagnosis.
- Mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis C is treatable with anti-viral drugs, yet 70% of patients remain undiagnosed.
- Detection rates for Hepatitis C are below 30%, and for Hepatitis B below 3%.
Steps taken by government:
- The National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) aims to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030 and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with Hepatitis B.
The way ahead:
- Expanding medical facilities to address healthcare deficits and fight viral and bacterial infections.
- WHO proposes course correction between 2024 and 2026 to align the NVHCP with its targets.
