When was the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program launched?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

The National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The official launch date was July 28, 2018, which is also observed as World Hepatitis Day.
The program's primary goal is to achieve the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat in India by the year 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
It aims to provide free screening, diagnosis, and treatment for viral hepatitis, with a special focus on Hepatitis B and C.

Option A: The year 2015 is incorrect. While WHO launched its first guidelines for the prevention and treatment of Hepatitis B in March 2015, the specific Indian national program (NVHCP) was established later.
Option B: The year 2016 is not associated with the launch of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program.
Option C: The year 2017 is not the launch year for the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Launch Year of National Viral Hepatitis Control Program as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are integral to the success of the NVHCP. Their roles include screening high-risk populations, administering the Hepatitis B vaccine (especially the crucial birth dose), managing treatment regimens, and monitoring patients for side effects and treatment response.
Patient education is a critical nursing function under this program. Nurses must counsel patients and communities on preventive measures such as safe injection practices, the importance of not sharing personal items like razors and toothbrushes, and safe sex.
What if? If a pregnant woman tests positive for HBsAg, the nurse's priority action is to ensure the newborn receives both the Hepatitis B vaccine and Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIG) within 24 hours of birth to prevent mother-to-child transmission, a key goal of the NVHCP.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question asking for the launch year of a specific national health program.
First, identify the key subject of the question, which is the 'National Viral Hepatitis Control Program'.
Next, focus on the action word 'launched' to understand that the question is asking for the year of its inception.
Recall the specific dates and years associated with major Indian public health initiatives, as these are common topics in nursing and public health exams.
Evaluate the given options. If you remember that the program was launched on World Hepatitis Day, you can associate it with the correct year, 2018.
Eliminate the other years as they are not linked to the launch of this particular program.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full P.CHO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.