National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP)

The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program has been launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, 28th July 2018. It is an integrated initiative for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis in India to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 which aims to end viral hepatitis by 2030. This is a comprehensive plan covering the entire gamut from Hepatitis A, B, C, D & E, and the whole range from prevention, detection, and treatment to mapping treatment outcomes. Operational Guidelines for National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, National Laboratory Guidelines for Viral Hepatitis Testing, and National Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Viral Hepatitis were also released.

Aim:

  • Combat hepatitis and achieve countrywide elimination of Hepatitis C by 2030;
  • Achieve significant reduction in the infected population, morbidity, and mortality associated with Hepatitis B and C viz. Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer);
  • Reduce the risk, morbidity, and mortality due to Hepatitis A and E.

Key Objectives:

  • Enhance community awareness of hepatitis and lay stress on preventive measures among the general population especially high-risk groups and in hotspots.
  • Provide early diagnosis and management of viral hepatitis at all levels of healthcare
  • Develop standard diagnostic and treatment protocols for the management of viral hepatitis and its complications.
  • Strengthen the existing infrastructure facilities, build capacities of existing human resources and raise additional human resources, where required, for providing comprehensive services for the management of viral hepatitis and its complications in all districts of the country.
  • Develop linkages with the existing National programs towards awareness, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for viral hepatitis.
  • Develop a web-based “Viral Hepatitis Information and Management System” to maintain a registry of persons affected with viral hepatitis and its sequelae.

Components:

1. Preventive component: This is the cornerstone of the NVHCP. It includes

  • Awareness generation & behavior change communication
  • Immunization of Hepatitis B (birth dose, high-risk groups, health care workers)
  • Safety of blood and blood products
  • Injection safety, safe socio-cultural practices
  • Safe drinking water, hygiene, and sanitary toilets

2. Diagnosis and Treatment:

  • Screening of pregnant women for HBsAg to be done in areas where institutional deliveries are < 80% to ensure their referral for institutional delivery for birth dose Hepatitis B vaccination.
  • Free screening, diagnosis, and treatment for both hepatitis B and C would be made available at all levels of health care in a phased manner.
  • Provision of linkages, including with private sector and not for profit institutions, for diagnosis and treatment.
  • Engagement with community/peer support to enhance and ensure adherence to treatment and demand generation.

3. Monitoring and Evaluation, Surveillance, and Research

  • Effective linkages to the surveillance system would be established and operational research would be undertaken through the Department of Health Research (DHR). Standardized monitoring & evaluation framework would be developed and an online web-based system is established.

4. Training and Capacity Building:

  • This will be a continuous process and will be supported by NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control), ILBS (Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences), and state tertiary care institutes and coordinated by NVHCP. The hepatitis induction and update programs for all levels of health care workers would be made available using both, the traditional cascade model of training through master trainers and various platforms available for enabling electronic, e-learning, and e-courses.

National Viral Hepatitis Control Management Unit

  • The NVHCP will be coordinated by the units at the center and the states.
  • National Viral Hepatitis Management Unit (NVHMU): The NVHMU is established at the center of the NHM (National Health Mission) and will be responsible for the implementation of the program in the country. The NVHMU will be headed by a Joint Secretary who will report to the Mission Director (NHM).
  • State Viral Hepatitis Management Unit (SVHMU)- The State Health Society with the nodal officer and required essential manpower will coordinate the program at the state level.
  • District Viral Hepatitis Management Unit (DVHMU)- A program officer at the district level from available manpower would act as the nodal person to supervise the program and facilitate the logistics, supply chain, outreach, and training at the district level.

Know about World Hepatitis Day 2018

To know more about hepatitis click at www.nhp.gov.in/

Know details about National Action Plan Combating Viral Hepatitis in India at www.mohfw.nic.in/sites/

National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme Operational guidelines

Himachal Pradesh NVHCP Programme activities