TOR 4
2015-16
Key Initiatives and Activities:
• On July 29, 2016, partnered with GOI and WHO country office to organize the 3rd National Technical Consultation with the theme “Towards a National Action Plan on Viral Hepatitis (NAP-VH)”. Aimed to raise awareness among senior bureaucrats and stakeholders about the need for a viral hepatitis service delivery model aligned with WHO’s strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030.
• Celebrated the 2nd Anniversary of ILBS as a WHO Collaborating Centre (WHOCC) on Viral Hepatitis and Liver Diseases on December 14, 2016. Reinforced commitment to NAP-VH and engaged senior bureaucrats and stakeholders.
• Initiated a “Surveillance plan for sequelae of chronic hepatitis B and C in India” under the guidance of Dr. Yvan, GHP, WHO HQ. Held the first meeting of 10-12 excellence centers providing care to viral hepatitis patients in India on December 16, 2016, to work towards NAP-VH.
• Collaborated with MSF and signed an MOU to develop a hepatitis C service delivery model in Meerut District, UP. Developed a clinical protocol and shared it with a technical expert group involving experts from WHO Country office.
• Developed and submitted a project proposal to Delhi Government for capacity building and upgrading of planned Mohallah Clinics and established dispensaries/urban health centers in Delhi. Proposed a referral system for viral hepatitis patients from these centers to tertiary care facilities, awaiting funding approval.
• Developed a research proposal titled “Operational research on community and facility-based interventions to develop a working service delivery model for preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services for viral hepatitis” using two approaches:
o Collaboration with NIHFW through existing health care delivery system.
o Collaborating with NACO (ICTC, ART centers).
• NIHFW assigned a thesis on “Study on awareness, health-seeking behavior, psychosocial and economic consequences among patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infection attending a tertiary care hospital in Delhi” to a PG student. The study is in the data collection phase and aims to provide insights into patients’ perspectives on viral hepatitis service delivery.
2016-17
Advocacy and National Program Launch:
• After three years of advocacy, on July 28, 2017, the Union Health minister approved the launch of a national program to eliminate hepatitis C from India.
• On the same day, ILBS, in collaboration with GOI and WHO country office, organized the 4th National Technical Consultation themed “Framework of National Program on Viral Hepatitis (NAP-VH) in India”. The consultation reinforced the need for a national viral hepatitis program aligned with WHO’s elimination strategy by 2030.
Meeting and Participants:
• The inauguration included Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Minister H&FW GNCTD, Secretary H&FW, WHO India Representative, an eminent Lawyer, Director NCDC, and Director ILBS.
• Attended by senior officials from GOI, state governments, academicians, experts, WHO representatives, NGOs, and pharmaceutical companies.
Involvement in National Action Plan:
• WHOCC and its members actively contributed to the National Action Plan on Viral Hepatitis under different components, led by National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Surveillance and Projects:
• Initiated hospital-based registries for Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular carcinoma patients in 13 Hepatology centers, with data collection started in 4 centers.
• Collaborated with MSF for a role model in hepatitis C service delivery in Meerut District of UP.
• Launched “Liver screening mobile van” under the “Healthy liver and healthy Delhi” project on Dec 4, 2017, in collaboration with Mylan Foundation. Aimed to screen, diagnose, and refer Hepatitis B/C infected and fatty liver patients.
• Around 2940 people screened in Delhi; targeted 10,000 screenings in the upcoming year.
Research and Studies:
• Completed the thesis “Study on awareness, health seeking behavior, psychosocial and economic consequences among patients with chronic hepatitis B and C infection attending a tertiary care hospital in Delhi” in collaboration with NIHFW.
• Accepted for presentation at WHS 2017, providing patient perspectives on viral hepatitis service delivery.
2017-18
Initiating National Viral Hepatitis Control Program:
• ILBS WHO CC played a pivotal role in catalyzing the development of India’s National Viral Hepatitis Control Program.
Consultative Meets:
• Four key consultative meetings were organized in collaboration with WHO and Govt of India to advocate for the program’s initiation.
National Technical Consultations:
• Held annual national technical consultations on viral hepatitis, aimed at driving the program’s agenda:
• July 28, 2014 – Theme: “Towards comprehensive National Hepatitis Prevention and Control Program, India”
• July 28, 2015 – Theme: “Prevent hepatitis. Act now.”
• July 29, 2016 – Theme: “Towards a National Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis (NAP-VH)”
• July 28, 2017 – Theme: “Framework of National Program on Viral Hepatitis (NAP-VH) in India”
Program Launch and Contributions:
• After four years of advocacy, on July 28, 2018, the Government of India officially launched the “National program for control of Viral Hepatitis.”
• ILBS WHO CC actively contributed to drafting the National Policy, management and treatment guidelines, and laboratory diagnosis guidelines for Viral Hepatitis.
Implementation and Surveillance:
• Actively involved in training Hepatitis treatment and testing centers identified by GoI for the program’s implementation.
• Initiated hospital-based registries for Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular carcinoma patients in 13 Hepatology centers. Ethical clearance obtained in 6 centers; others in the process.
Hepatitis C Demonstration Project:
• Collaborated with Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) for the Hepatitis C: Delhi Demonstration Project funded by Unitaid.
• Aims to screen 50,000 Delhi residents from 25 peripheral sites for HCV, offer complete treatment to infected individuals, and explore various diagnostic modalities.
Liver Screening Mobile Van:
• Launched the “Liver screening mobile van” under the “Healthy liver and Healthy Delhi” project on December 4, 2017.
• Screened around 5382 individuals in Delhi and aimed to screen approximately 10,000 more in the upcoming year.