Hepatitis‑C Medicine Shortage at Ludhiana Civil Hospital Delays Treatment for New Patients

Ludhiana’s 300‑bed Civil Hospital is facing a critical shortage of Hepatitis‑C medication, causing delays in starting treatment for new patients while treatment for existing cases continues uninterrupted.

For over a year, new patients diagnosed with Hepatitis‑C have been unable to begin their treatment due to the depletion of essential drugs. Nearly 100 patients are currently awaiting the resumption of free medication services . Although follow‑up patients continue to receive their prescribed courses to prevent dangerous interruptions, this prioritisation has left first‑time patients in limbo.

Data from the Civil Hospital reveals a sharp increase in Hepatitis‑C cases in recent years. Since 2020, case numbers have risen from 244 to 798 in 2022, with nearly 350 new diagnoses already reported in early 2023. The rising caseload has outpaced government supply, resulting in daily turnaways of new patients—five to seven per day

Private treatment costs for Hepatitis‑C therapy range from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 monthly, proving unaffordable for many affected families. Patients like a 21‑year‑old woman, dependent on free medication, find themselves forced to wait—a delay that risks deterioration of health

Ludhiana’s approach aligns with directives under Punjab’s Mukh Mantri Hepatitis‑C Relief Fund, and the broader National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, which aim to ensure uninterrupted treatment once initiated

The gap between burgeoning patient numbers and limited government supply highlights a systemic challenge in India’s public health response. The prioritization of continuity over initiation may preserve existing cases but allows new infections to linger—risking progression to chronic liver disease and community transmission.

Health officials are urging prompt replenishment of the drug supply. Follow‑up patients continue uninterrupted care, but until resupply occurs, new diagnoses will remain untreated. Advocacy calls for increased government stockpiles, faster distribution, and scalable production to meet rising demand.

Ludhiana’s Civil Hospital is providing an essential but constrained service under India’s national Hepatitis‑C programme. However, with new cases rising sharply, persistent medicine shortages threaten public health progress. Continued delays in treatment for new patients may reverse gains and compound health burdens. Prompt resolution of the supply chain failure is essential to restore equitable access and uphold treatment efficacy.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sakshi Thakar/MSM)