India is intensifying efforts to tackle Hepatitis B through an expanded nationwide screening initiative, as millions continue to live with the infection without knowing their status. Under the Mission Defeat Hepatitis campaign, Cipla has partnered with the Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver (INASL) to promote awareness, encourage early diagnosis and improve access to Hepatitis B screening.
According to campaign organisers, India accounts for nearly 12 per cent of the global Hepatitis B burden, with an estimated 4 crore people living with chronic infection. However, only around 3 per cent of cases are diagnosed, while less than 1 per cent receive appropriate treatment, leaving many at risk of severe liver complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Nationwide Screening Initiative
Marking World Hepatitis Day, more than 5,000 doctors across India participated in the first phase of the initiative, supporting 1.5 lakh Hepatitis B screenings and earning recognition in the International Book of Records. The campaign plans to scale up its outreach by facilitating over 2.5 lakh screenings through more than 8,500 screening camps across the country.
As part of the awareness drive, organisers also unveiled the World’s Largest Liver Model, constructed using Hepatitis B antigen test kit covers that will be utilised during the screening campaign. The installation aims to highlight the importance of timely testing and early diagnosis among the public.
Dr. Jaideep Gogtay, Chief Medical Officer at Cipla, said awareness and early diagnosis remain the most effective way to identify infected individuals and connect them to timely treatment. He noted that the initiative brings together healthcare professionals, scientific bodies and communities to improve access to screening and reduce the burden of the disease.
Echoing similar views, INASL Secretary General Prof. Dr. Ajay Duseja said early diagnosis plays a crucial role in Hepatitis B management and that collaborative efforts can significantly improve patient outcomes. Healthcare experts associated with the campaign also stressed that expanding screening programmes and strengthening public awareness are essential to preventing advanced liver disease and achieving better long-term health outcomes for millions of Indians.
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