Lok Sabha Question No. 4475 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-08-12
Subject: Viral Hepatitis Infections
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 4475 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH AUGUST, 2016

## VIRAL HEPATITIS INFE CTIONS

## 4475. SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

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

- (a) whether cases of viral hepatitis infections are on the rise in the country and if so, various types of hepatitis infections reported during the last three years and the curren and State/UT - wise;
- (b) whether viral hepatitis is a major public health problem in the country and is hyper for HAV and HEV and if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated and utilized for i prevention and cure during the last three years, State/UTwise;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  in  collaboration  with  the  World  Health  Organisation  (WHO organised an event on World Hepatitis Day and if so, the details thereof along with the obj of the programme and the achievements made thereon; and
- (d) the details of efforts taken by the Government to take rapid action to create awaren the dise ase and to increase access for screening and treatment services?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) : The current trends suggest more and more cases of viral hepatitis being reported, however it is difficult to comment on the numbers. However, whether this is due to actual inc incidence/prevalence or due to greater awareness and better diagnostics, or both, is not k

There  is  an  urgent  need  for  establishment  of  a  laboratory network  for  surveillance  of Viral Hepatitis, in order to have proper data.

Contd……

With  that  view,  the  Government  of  India  has  recently  instituted  'The  National  Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Programme' under the 12th five year plan (2012 -17) with an es timated budget of 30 crore. The initial funds have been released to National Centre for Disease (NCDC) in current financial year to start the surveillance activities. In the first year Laboratories  shall  be  established  in  different  geogr aphical  locations  of  the  country.  Once  the network is established, data regarding types of hepatitis infection would become availa States/UTs and for the country

(b) : Yes, viral hepatitis is a major public health problem in the country. Status o f e demicity of different kinds of viral hepatitis in India is not correctly known as of now. To ad need the National Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Programme was launched with NCDC as the c -ordinating centre. NCDC is at the initial stages of esta blishing a network of Laboratories under this programme, so that the correct and comprehensive data regarding status of these infec available in future.

The funds amounting to Rs 2.62 crore have been released in this current financial ye

(c ): Yes, Government of India in collaboration with WHO organized a Global event on th occasion of World Hepatitis Day on 28 th July 2016 in Mumbai. The main objective of this event was  to  increase  awareness  about  Hepatitis  among  general  public,  health  care  p roviders  and policy makers at the highest level. The programme focused on all aspects of Hepatitis lik borne hepatitis, blood borne hepatitis, injection safety and vaccination.

The event was attended by WHO , Health Ministers and Health Secretaries from many States and by the Union Minister of State Health and Family Welfare. Experts from WHO, Eg and Thailand also participated in the event. During the event, experts stressed on the injection  safety ,  safe  blood  and  the  need  to  increase  coverage  of  birth  dose  vaccination Hepatitis -B.

(d) : NCDC has released 'Viral Hepatitis -The silent disease: Prevention, control and treatment guidelines' on 29th July 2016.

As  part  of  routine  activity  un der  the  HIV  programme,  awareness  generation  on  safe injection practices and Hepatitis C is focused upon. Government of India has also recentl a Technical Expert Group to look into injection safety issues to prevent Hepatitis C. Som like Pun jab, Haryana and Manipur are already providing Hepatitis C treatment from their S Health Budget. It is also under consideration to include Hepatitis C treatment in Nationa Insurance Protection Scheme.

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