India reports over 2,700 Hepatitis B deaths since 2018

India has reported over 2,700 deaths from Hepatitis B in the past five years. The Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel, shared this information in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on March 18. In 2024 alone, there were 607 deaths due to the virus. Maharashtra had the highest number of fatalities, with 124 deaths reported. The overall death toll from Hepatitis B in India reached 2,729 since 2019. The data shows a fluctuating trend in the death toll. In 2019-20, there were 173 deaths, which decreased to 139 in 2020-21. However, the numbers rose sharply in the following years, peaking at 972 in 2023-24. The Indian government provides free diagnostic and treatment services for Hepatitis B at designated health facilities. This is part of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program aimed at controlling the disease.