Care Health Insurance Calls for Early Hepatitis Screening Ahead of World Hepatitis Day

Mumbai: Ahead of World Hepatitis Day, Care Health Insurance has urged people to prioritise hepatitis screening, vaccination, and timely medical care, highlighting the growing burden of viral hepatitis and its impact on liver health in India.

The company noted that viral hepatitis is often referred to as a “silent disease” because it can progress for years without noticeable symptoms. In many cases, the infection is detected only after severe and irreversible liver damage has occurred, increasing the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

India Faces High Hepatitis Burden

According to national and global health assessments cited by Care Health Insurance, India has one of the highest hepatitis burdens in the world. An estimated 2.9 crore people are living with hepatitis B and 0.55 crore with hepatitis C, bringing the total number of people living with chronic viral hepatitis to nearly 3.5 crore.

The company stated that viral hepatitis is responsible for approximately 1.23 lakh deaths every year in India. It also noted that a large number of infections remain undiagnosed, allowing the disease to progress silently before treatment begins.

Rising Treatment Costs

While hepatitis screening is available free of cost under the Government of India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), advanced liver disease can require expensive treatment.

According to the advisory, a liver transplant at a private hospital typically costs between ₹18 lakh and ₹35 lakh, followed by lifelong medication expenses.

Care Health Insurance’s claims data indicates that liver disease claims have doubled over the past three years, with treatment costs increasing by nearly 100% during the same period. The insurer also observed:

• A 5–10% annual increase in liver disease claims among younger individuals.
• A 10–15% annual rise in claims from Tier II and Tier III cities.
• Nearly a 10% year-on-year increase in claims among women.

Preventive Measures Recommended

The advisory recommends that individuals:

• Get tested for hepatitis B and C at least once, especially those at higher risk.
• Complete the recommended hepatitis B vaccination schedule, including the birth dose for newborns within 24 hours.
• Seek timely treatment if diagnosed, as hepatitis C is curable in most cases, while hepatitis B can be effectively managed with ongoing medical care.
• Undergo regular liver health assessments if living with diabetes, obesity, fatty liver disease, or other metabolic conditions.
• Follow safe practices during injections, blood transfusions, dental procedures, tattooing, and piercing, and avoid sharing razors, needles, or syringes.
• Maintain proper food and water hygiene to reduce the risk of hepatitis A and E, particularly during the monsoon season.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and limited alcohol consumption.
• Review health insurance coverage periodically to prepare for the financial impact of major liver-related illnesses.

The advisory stated that greater awareness, regular screening, vaccination, and early treatment will play an important role in supporting India’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.