Viral hepatitis - A cause for major healthcare burden in India
Viral hepatitis is a growing concern in India and is recently equated as a threat comparable to the “big three” communicable diseases – HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis. While we continue our fight against COVID-19, let’s not forget that, hepatitis too can’t wait! Hepatitis, referred to as inflammation of the liver, can be caused due to alcohol abuse, medications, and certain medical conditions. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus; and the most common types viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis can lead to severe liver disease including hepatocellular cancer. A global health concern, hepatitis-related illness, claims one life, every 30 seconds! Viral hepatitis is a cause for major healthcare burden in India and is recently equated as a threat comparable to the “big three” communicable diseases – HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis. The Government of India launched a new National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) on World