Only 3 per cent of hepatitis B patients in India are aware of their condition, and less than 1 per cent of eligible individuals are receiving antiviral treatment. “These are not just statistics, they reflect a silent public health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action,” said Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, and Chairperson, Illness to Wellness Foundation, during his keynote address at the ‘Illness to Wellness’ Awareness Conference held in New Delhi on World Hepatitis Day.
The Illness to Wellness Foundation organised the conference to mark World Hepatitis Day, under the theme “Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Hepatitis.” The event brought together medical experts, policymakers, and public health advocates to emphasise the growing need for comprehensive strategies to address India’s hepatitis burden through policy reform, improved access, and awareness.
Bhushan outlined five key priorities to curb the spread and impact of hepatitis in India: expanded screening and surveillance, ensuring timely birth-dose vaccination, decentralisation of treatment access, strengthening community-level awareness, and the use of real-time data for decision-making. He said, “Strategic interventions must be driven not only by the government but also through collaboration with civil society, the private sector, public health professionals, and the medical community.”
In his welcome address, Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, acknowledged ongoing national health missions. He stated, “Under the visionary leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister, the government has launched several impactful initiatives that are combating diseases like Hepatitis. Programs such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Har Ghar Jal Yojana, and Eat Right India are playing a transformative role in improving hygiene, ensuring clean drinking water, and promoting safe food practices, each critical in preventing hepatitis.”
Referring to this year’s World Hepatitis Day theme, ‘Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,’ Rajput added, “Our Foundation is committed to complementing the efforts of the government and further strengthening preventive health awareness across the country.”
During the event, health experts raised concern over global vaccination gaps. They pointed out that only 45 per cent of new-borns receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, despite it being a key preventive step. They reiterated the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 hepatitis elimination target, which includes a 90 per cent reduction in new infections and 80 per cent treatment coverage. Experts noted that achieving these goals depends on universal vaccination, timely diagnosis, accessible care, and destigmatising public discourse.
In the closing remarks, Padma Shri Dr (Prof.) D S Rana, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Sir Gangaram Hospital and Member, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, “As we heard from the experts, liver failure has no full treatment except liver transplant, and even partial treatments are extremely expensive and inaccessible for most. The reality is that hepatitis is a preventable disease, and prevention is our strongest alternative. Over the past 75 years, medical science has made remarkable progress in understanding such diseases, but the key lies in public awareness and early action. I would like to congratulate the Illness to Wellness Foundation for their continued good work in driving preventive health efforts across the country.”
The conference concluded with a collective call to scale up the national response and work towards a hepatitis-free Bharat by 2030.