India, July 29 -- Prevention, early diagnosis and equitable access to treatment were the focus of the Illness to Wellness Foundation's conference on "Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatitis", organised on World Hepatitis Day 2026, as experts called for a stronger prevention-first approach to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Padma Bhushan Dr (Prof.) S. K. Sarin said India must prioritise expanding adult hepatitis B immunisation, promoting early diagnosis, eliminating stigma and ensuring timely treatment. "Preventing hepatitis is no longer only about scientific progress; it is about reaching every individual with the care they need," he said.
Women's health featured prominently in the discussions, with experts advocating universal hepatitis screening during pregnancy, measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission, timely birth-dose vaccination, improved maternal care and long-term monitoring of exposed infants. Experts stressed that vaccinating newborns within the first hour of birth, or at least within 12 hours, remains the single most effective intervention to prevent hepatitis B transmission. They said every pregnancy and every birth should be treated as an opportunity to prevent the disease. Former Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan called for stronger collaboration among governments, healthcare providers and other stakeholders to expand hepatitis services and ensure quality care reaches every community, particularly in rural areas. Anil Rajput called for a "whole-of-society approach" involving all stakeholders to eliminate hepatitis. Dr R. S. Mishra stressed timely testing, reducing stigma and learning from countries such as China and Egypt to strengthen India's hepatitis elimination efforts.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.