Linkage to Care of People With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Blood Donors: Experience From an Apex Treatment Centre Under National Viral Hepatitis Control Program, India

ABSTRACT Background and Objectives Chronic viral hepatitis is a major public health challenge. The World Health Organization (WHO) and many national programs have set goals for elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030. Screening, Linkage to care (LTC), and access to treatment are very important steps to eliminate viral hepatitis. The study aimed to assess the cascade of chronic viral hepatitis care and the barrier of LTC in the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP). Methods In this observational cross‐sectional study, healthy voluntary blood donors from two leading blood banks, who were HBsAg or anti‐HCV reactive, were advised to attend the clinic of NVHCP. Results Among 116 569 healthy blood donors, prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV were 0.5% and 0.2% respectively. LTC was very poor. Only 27.7% HBsAg positive and 8.9% anti HCV positive patients attended NVHCP clinic. However, those who attended the clinic, 87.8% HBV and 100% HCV‐infected patients were retained. All HCV patients (n = 16) achieved SVR‐12. Among HBV‐infected patients, treatment eligibility was 21%. Conclusions In this study, LTC was very poor. Only 27.7% of chronic HBV and 9% of HCV patients attended the NVHCP clinic. Immediate interventions are required to enhance LTC for asymptomatic patients with chronic viral hepatitis.