• In India, around 40 million people are infected with hepatitis B and at least 6 million people with hepatitis C. About 184 000 people die each year of hepatitis B- and C-related complications – two times the estimated annual number of HIV and malaria deaths together.
• AP & Punjab Govt’s Hepatitis C initiative now to be followed at National level

Mr. Pradeep Sarin, Trustee of Safe Point, applauded the great initiative “National Viral Hepatitis Control Program” launched by Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare on 28^th July, 2018 to mark the World Hepatitis Day 2018 to work towards elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030 in India.

At the function, Shri J P Nadda also released the 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. Shri Manoj Sinha, MoS (Independent Charge), Ministry of Communication also released the Commemorative Stamp at the occasion.

An elated Mr. Rajiv Nath Jt Mg Director of HMD that makes the Kojak brand of Auto Disable Reuse Prevention ( AD- RUP) Syringes, a strong advocate for Injection Safety and seeking a National Swach Injection Abhiyan said “After requesting for a National Nodal Injection Safety Officer since over 10 years we are delighted and optimistic to see a National Consultant for Injection Safety being appointed for the noble initiative”  but he also apprehended “Let’s hope this National Plan on Safe Injections is not fueled by Chinese Imported Syringes as being done for Immunization and keeping Indian factories capacity idle.

Dr.(Col) HS Ratti, an epidemiologist and Project Advisor to  Safe Point which is working to create awareness about safe injections is hopeful that the ‘National Plan on Safe Injections’ initiative launched is India’s commitment towards elimination of viral hepatitis by well laid out strategy which hopefully will now be covering Prevention from Unsafe Injections, Testing  patients with Safe Equipment that prevents Needle Stick injury to the lab technician and free Treatment to the patient .

In India, around 40 million people are infected with hepatitis B and at least 6 million people with hepatitis C. About 184 000 people die each year of hepatitis B- and C-related complications – two times the estimated annual number of HIV and malaria deaths together.

Dr Ratti urged the Govt. to accelerate a switch to “Auto Disable Syringes” to limit HIV and Hepatitis Epidemic. There are villages with over half the population infected with Hepatitis or HIV due to reuse of Syringes by quacks . In order to prevent reuse of syringes and contain spread of infection, it is advisable and recommended to use AD syringes specifically designed to prevent reuse. This reuse prevention has been strongly advocated by WHO.

Andhra Pradesh government has already taken a lead in this regard and had issued instructions in May  for 100% use of AD syringes in its public health facilities from 28th Jul 2018 which is observed as World Hepatitis Day.

Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey and Smt Anupriya Patel, Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare along with Smt Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health), Shri Ananta Narayan Nanda, Secretary, Dept. of Posts and Dr S Venkatesh, DGHS were also present at the launch function.

MoHFW has launched the ‘National Viral Hepatitis Control Program’, with the goal of ending viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030 in the country. The aim of the initiative is to reduce morbidity and mortality due to viral hepatitis. The key strategies include preventive and promotive interventions with focus on awareness generation, safe injection practices and socio-cultural practices, sanitation and hygiene, safe drinking water supply, infection control and immunization; co-ordination and collaboration with different Ministries and departments; increasing access to testing and management of viral hepatitis; promoting diagnosis and providing treatment support for patients of hepatitis B &C through standardized testing and management protocols with focus on treatment of hepatitis B and C; building capacities at national, state, district levels and sub-district level up to Primary Health Centres (PHC) and health and wellness centres such that the program can be scaled up till the lowest level of the healthcare facility in a phased manner.

The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program marks the beginning of the nation’s journey to control viral hepatitis thereby reducing mortality and morbidity attributed to it. The programme will prevent , find, test and treat viral hepatitis.