Hep Headlines
headlines
hep
For the
diary
Hepatitis is making
the news regularly
thanks to the work of
WHA members, here
are a few highlights.
Iceland could eliminate
hepatitis C by 2020
In Iceland, a nationwide
program has been launched
offering treatment for the entire
population living with hepatitis
C virus (HCV). A mathematical
model was used to estimate
the additional health system
requirements to achieve the HCV
elimination targets of the World
Health Organization (WHO), as
well as the year that this could
occur. With some additional
screening of people who inject
drugs, Iceland could reach the
WHO targets by 2020, becoming
one of the first countries to
achieve HCV elimination. The
model estimated that once
elimination targets were reached,
maintaining current monitoring
and harm reduction services
while providing ongoing access
to DAA therapy for people
diagnosed with HCV would ensure
that future HCV outbreaks are
unlikely to occur.
Read more at www.journal-of-
hepatology.eu
4 hep Voice November 2018
Australia releases annual
HIV, viral hepatitis and
sexually transmissible
infections report
The Kirby Institute have released
their annual surveillance report.
According to the report, an
estimated 199,230 people were
living with chronic hepatitis C
infection at the beginning of 2017
decreasing to 182,144 by the end
of 2017, with over 20,454 cured
of hepatitis C since the end 2016
thanks to increased access to
new treatments subsidised by the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Read more at www. kirby.unsw.
edu.au
increasing hepatitis C treatment
availability in prisons.
We would also have liked to
have seen a recommendation
for prisons to provide sterilised
needles and syringes to prevent
transmission of BBVs through the
sharing of equipment for injecting
drugs.”
Read more at hepctrust.org.uk
Participating in a
hepatitis related
activity or have an
event planned?
Email us or contact
us on social media.
Here are some upcoming
events and activities taking
place this month.
23-30 November
European Testing Week
European Testing Week provides the unique opportunity for
organisations – in community, health care and policy institutions
to unite across Europe to increase testing efforts and create more
awareness on the benefits of earlier testing for hepatitis and HIV.
1 December
The Hepatitis C Trust
responds to select
committee report on prison
health World Aids Day
Rachel Halford, Chief Executive
of The Hepatitis C Trust, said:
“We welcome calls for a ‘whole
system’ approach to prisoner
healthcare, and are pleased
that the Health and Social Care
Committee has acknowledged
that prisons are in a vital position
to address health inequality.
However, there was a
disappointing absence of specific
recommendations on the better
implementation of opt-out testing
for blood borne viruses and on 12 December
World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December each year. It’s an
opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV,
to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate
those who have died from an AIDS-related illness
Universal Health Coverage Day
International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC Day) on 12
December aims to mobilize diverse stakeholders to call for
stronger, more equitable health systems to achieve universal
health coverage, leaving no one behind.
hep Voice
November 2018 5