Question : Hepatitis and Kala Azar

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether cases of hepatitis infections are on the rise in the country, if so, the number of cases of various types of hepatitis infections reported during each of the last three years and the current year, type and State/UT-wise;

(b) the details of various programmes/ schemes proposed/launched for treatment/ elimination of various types of hepatitis diseases in the country;

(c) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for prevention and control of various types of hepatitis and Kala Azar along with the funds allocated and utilised for the purpose during the said period, State/UT-wise; and

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for affordable treatment and ensuring the quality and safety of drugs in this regard?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): There is no nationally representative data for estimating disease burden. Currently there is no reporting mechanism to estimate the number of cases of various types of hepatitis infections.

(b) & (c): National Viral Hepatitis Control Program has been launched on 28th July 2018 under the National Health Mission with a budget outlay of Rs 517.35 crores over 3 years.

Prevention: The program will address the following preventive measures
• Awareness generation &behavior change communication
• Immunization for hepatitis B – birth dose, high risk groups, health care workers
• Provision of safe blood and blood products through 100% voluntary blood donations
• Injection safety by use of re-use prevention/auto disable syringes in all government health care facilities
• Safe socio-cultural practices
• Safe drinking water and sanitation




The program division will liaise with existing programs under various Ministries and Departments such as Immunisation Division, National AIDS Control Organisation (blood safety and targeted intervention), Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation for the above prevention activities.

Control (diagnosis and treatment): Quality testing for all types of viral hepatitis shall be carried out for diagnosis of viral hepatitis upto Primary Health Care/Health and Wellness Centre level in a phased manner. Those who are eligible for hepatitis B and C treatment shall put on antiviral treatment by trained health care providers in designated treatment centres at Government Medical Colleges and District Hospitals.

(d): The drugs will be provided free of cost to the patients. The drugs shall be centrally procured for economies of scale adhering to all quality parameters. The procurement will be in alignment with the standard treatment protocols which have been developed by technical experts from across the country.