National Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Programme

The National Centre for Disease Control is the nodal agency for the implementation of the scheme “The national program on Surveillance of Viral Hepatitis”.  This central sector scheme is an ongoing scheme under the 12^th FYP. The Standing Finance Committee (SFC) has approved the continuation of the on-going scheme for the FY 2017-2020. Ten sites have been identified which will be responsible for implementing the program in the initial two years.

Objectives:

•  To establish laboratory network for laboratory based surveillance of viral hepatitis in different geographical locations of India.
•  To ascertain the prevalence of different types of viral hepatitis in different zones of the country.
•  To provide laboratory support for outbreak investigation of hepatitis through established network of laboratories.
•  To develop technical material for generating awareness among healthcare providers and in the community about waterborne and blood borne hepatitis.

Targets:

• Establishment of laboratory based surveillance for viral hepatitis in the country for collection of data. Development of testing and surveillance guidelines and its dissemination.
• A network of laboratories with quality testing for hepatitis markers will be established covering the entire country
• Training of manpower/health care providers in 10 regional labs including NCDC i.e. the reference lab.
• Development of IEC for providers and community.
• Establishment of baseline  data  for hepatitis to see the impact 

Viral Hepatitis - The Silent Disease Facts and Treatment Guidelines