On the occasion of World Hepatitis Day, the Illness to Wellness Foundation hosted a high-level awareness conference in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, medical experts, and public health advocates. The conference, centred around the theme “Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment for Hepatitis,” aimed to galvanize national efforts to combat India’s rising hepatitis burden.
Alarming Statistics Call for Immediate Intervention
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Rajesh Bhushan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Chairperson of the Illness to Wellness Foundation, issued a strong warning.
> “Only 3% of hepatitis B patients in India are aware of their condition, and less than 1% of eligible individuals are receiving antiviral treatment. These are not just statistics, they reflect a silent public health crisis that demands immediate, coordinated action,” he said.
He emphasized five critical priorities to reverse the trend:
- Expanded screening and surveillance
- Timely birth-dose vaccination
- Decentralised treatment access
- Community-driven awareness
- Actionable real-time data
He also urged for multi-sectoral collaboration, stating, “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.”
Government Initiatives Making a Difference
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairperson of the Advisory Council at the Foundation, praised the government’s disease prevention efforts.
“Under the visionary leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister, the government has launched several impactful initiatives 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,” he noted.
He added that the Foundation remains committed to strengthening preventive health awareness across India and that this year’s theme, ‘Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down’, underscores the need for a multi-dimensional approach to disease prevention.
Experts Highlight Gaps in Vaccination and Treatment
As per the press release, throughout the sessions, medical experts raised concerns about low vaccination rates and limited treatment access. Only 45% of newborns in India currently receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, a crucial window for prevention. Experts stressed the need to achieve the WHO’s 2030 elimination targets, which call for:
- A 90% reduction in new infections
- 80% treatment coverage
They highlighted four core strategies:
- Universal vaccination
- Timely diagnosis
- People-centred healthcare delivery
- Public awareness to combat stigma
A Strong Message to Prioritize Prevention
Delivering the concluding remarks, Padma Shri Dr. (Prof.) D S Rana, Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Advisory Council Member, commended the collective efforts.
“Liver failure has no full treatment except a transplant, and even partial treatments are extremely expensive and inaccessible for most. The reality is that hepatitis is preventable, and prevention is our strongest alternative. The key lies in public awareness and early action,” he said.
He congratulated the Foundation for its continued role in driving preventive health education and underlined the importance of science-backed interventions combined with community mobilisation.
A National Call to Action
The conference ended with a call to break the silence and scale up the response. Stakeholders pledged to build a hepatitis‑free Bharat by 2030.