According to the World Health Organization, 360 million people are suffering from hepatitis B infection today. Hepatitis B is a very dangerous disease which is very difficult to cure permanently. Various factors such as the severity of the disease and the type of treatment, such as vaccinations, antiviral drugs, etc., can affect the overall cost.
Following are the various factors that affect the cost:
- Costs vary according to the severity of the disease
- More severe cases may require more extensive and expensive treatment for patients with hepatitis B.
Type of treatment
Depending on the patient's condition, certain medical tests are required to monitor the liver condition periodically every three to six months. Antiviral drugs and injections are very expensive, ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 10,000 or more depending on the viral load and liver condition. Patients with chronic hepatitis B need to undergo the following clinical tests to monitor the liver every six months:
- HBSAG(Hepatitis B Surface Antigen)
- HBEAG(Hepatitis B Envelope Antigen)
- Liver function tests like ALT/AST
- Liver fibroscan or ultrasound or ultrasound sonography.
The above tests are mandatory, if you have good financial status you can get HBV DNA test. This test is needed when the viral load becomes very high. Alternatively, your doctor may evaluate viral levels with surface antigen and envelope antigen tests.
Public versus private sector
In some government hospitals and health centers like AIIMS, PGI, JIPMER, district level hospitals you can get treatment at minimal or no cost. But in case of private clinics and hospitals they usually charge more for everything.
Diagnostic tests
A patient with chronic hepatitis B needs a medical check-up every three to six months. If you have financial problems, you can go to any major government hospital in India for treatment and medical examination.
Cost of medicine
Medications for chronic hepatitis B can be a significant ongoing expense. Also, the cost of hepatitis B treatment in India varies by region, ranging from around Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per month for the drug. If you are an Indian and have Ayushman Bharat Card or state level ration card or BPL card of Indian government then your treatment will be absolutely free in any big government hospital.
Please watch this video for more information. This video discusses in detail what is the average cost of hepatitis B treatment by a hepatitis B survivor in India.
