No Hepatitis B deaths reported in J&K since 2018: Govt

New Delhi, Dec 6: No deaths have been reported due to Hepatitis B in Jammu and Kashmir since 2018, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In a reply to a question in Parliament, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel, said that no fatalities have occurred in Jammu and Kashmir due to Hepatitis B.
“Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes chronic liver disease and can lead to severe complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which can ultimately result in death,” she said.
Patel added that efforts to combat viral hepatitis, including Hepatitis B, are carried out through a coordinated approach between the central and state governments under the National Health Mission (NHM). The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP), launched under NHM, employs various preventive strategies across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir.
“These measures include universal screening of antenatal women to prevent vertical transmission, screening of high-risk groups and the general population, screening of all blood donors for Hepatitis B and screening individuals undergoing surgical procedures,” the minister said.
Officials here said this success is due to the sustained efforts of the state health department in managing and treating the disease.
“Thousands of individuals across J&K have been screened and treated under programmes like the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, which provides free treatment and vaccination to those affected by the disease,” an official said.
He said despite these achievements, challenges remain, particularly in districts with limited testing facilities. “Further improvements are needed in healthcare infrastructure,” he added. (KNO)