Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken any measures for the prevention of fatal disease like Hepatitis B;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any effective treatment is available for a person infected with Hepatitis B; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)
(a) & (b): National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) was launched in 2018 in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). The scope of the program was expanded to include management of Hepatitis B in 2019. In order to prevent Hepatitis B, screening is done during Ante-Natal Care (ANC) of pregnant women for Hepatitis B as well. It is a vaccine preventable disease and the program, in coordination with immunization division, is ensuring Hepatitis B birth dose vaccine and Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin to babies born to Hepatitis B positive mothers. Hepatitis B vaccine is also part of Universal Immunization Programme. The program envisages prevention through awareness generation, and management of viral hepatitis ‘B’ by providing free diagnosis and drugs across the board.
(c) & (d): Lifelong treatment of Hepatitis B is available free of cost under NVHCP for those who require the same.