New Delhi: More than 21 crore people have been screened and over 6 lakh patients have received free treatment under the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP) since its launch eight years ago, Union Health Secretary Punya Srivastava said.
“The programme has surpassed its target of establishing one treatment centre in every district. With the support of states and Union Territories, the country now has 1,153 treatment centres, including more than 70 specialised treatment centres providing advanced care,” Srivastava said.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, Srivastava said that more than 7.64 crore pregnant women have been screened, while 2.24 lakh newborns born to Hepatitis B-positive mothers have received Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG) through the combined efforts of the National AIDS Control Programme and the Hepatitis B Universal Immunization Programme.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel said the Hepatitis B vaccine, introduced under the Universal Immunization Programme in 2011, has achieved more than 92 per cent birth-dose coverage.
However, she noted that only about 65 per cent of pregnant women are currently screened for Hepatitis B and urged states to work towards 100 per cent screening to ensure timely birth-dose vaccination and HBIG administration within 24 hours of birth.
