Cipla and INASL launch nationwide Hepatitis B screening campaign on World Hepatitis Day

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, Hepatitis B continues to remain one of India’s under-recognised public health challenges. India accounts for nearly 12 per cent of the global Hepatitis B burden, with an estimated four crore people living with chronic Hepatitis B infection. However, only around 3 per cent are diagnosed, while less than 1 per cent receive appropriate treatment, leaving millions unaware of their infection and at risk of developing liver disease.

Recognising the importance of early diagnosis, Cipla has partnered with the Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver (INASL) to continue Mission Defeat Hepatitis, a nationwide initiative aimed at raising awareness, encouraging early diagnosis and expanding access to Hepatitis B screening across India.

As part of this year’s World Hepatitis Day observance, more than 5,000 doctors across the country came together to support 1.5 lakh Hepatitis B screenings and created an International Book of Records. According to the organisers, this marks the first phase of a larger initiative to facilitate more than 2.5 lakh screenings through over 8,500 screening camps across the country. The event brought together healthcare professionals, liver disease experts and Cipla leadership to highlight the importance of timely Hepatitis B screening and diagnosis.

The campaign also unveiled the World’s Largest Liver Model, created using Hepatitis B antigen test kit covers that will be used to screen 1.5 lakh individuals. The installation was created to reinforce the importance of timely screening and diagnosis.

Commenting on the initiative, Dr Jaideep Gogtay, Chief Medical Officer, Cipla Limited, said, “Hepatitis B remains one of the under-diagnosed public health challenges in India. While effective therapies are available, millions continue to live with the infection without knowing their status. We believe awareness and early diagnosis are the first steps towards changing this reality. Through Mission Defeat Hepatitis, we are bringing together the medical fraternity, scientific bodies and communities to encourage timely screening and help people access appropriate care. Our vision is simple: to ensure that every individual at risk has the opportunity to know their Hepatitis B status. Because only when we diagnose earlier can we truly change the course of the disease.”

Speaking on the initiative, Prof. Dr Ajay Duseja, HOD PGI & INASL Secretary General, said, “The Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver (INASL) is a non-profit organisation committed to advancing the discipline of hepatology in India. Early diagnosis remains one of the most effective interventions in Hepatitis B management. Mission Defeat Hepatitis provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals across the country to work towards a shared goal of increasing awareness, encouraging screening and connecting patients to appropriate care. Together, we can make meaningful progress in reducing the burden of Hepatitis B in India.”

Dr Ameet Mandot, Director, Department of Hepatology & LICU, Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai, said, “Early diagnosis is a cornerstone of effective Hepatitis B management, enabling timely intervention and significantly reducing the risk of advanced liver disease. Mission Defeat Hepatitis serves as a platform to unite healthcare professionals in a collective effort to enhance awareness, encourage screening, and facilitate early linkage to care. We at INASL & Gleneagles Hospital have active partnership in this initiative, particularly its support for screening programs and awareness-building activities that help drive early detection within the community. Through such collaborative efforts, we can accelerate progress toward reducing the burden of Hepatitis B in India and improving patient outcomes.”

Dr Bipin Chevale, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital, said, “Hepatitis B continues to be one of the underdiagnosed liver diseases in India, despite being preventable and treatable with timely intervention. Our association with the Mission Defeat Hepatitis Campaign highlights our commitment to promoting early screening and increasing public awareness, as early diagnosis remains the key to preventing serious liver complications. Through our experienced multidisciplinary team and state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure, we strive to ensure that every patient has access to quality care, while contributing to the larger goal of reducing the burden of Hepatitis B in our communities.”