Pink Ladies Event
Education and testing at NMRC
I
n collaboration with the Northern Migrant Resource Centre (NMRC) and the Viral Hepatitis Nurses in the North, Hepatitis SA facilitated a project to educate, screen, and provide fibroscans to newly arrived migrant women from Nepal and Bhutan. NMRC warmly welcomed Hepatitis SA to work with the women’s group, and provided invaluable support and assistance throughout the project. A major enabler of the project was the rapport and ongoing communication between NMRC staff and their clients. Every participant received a phone call before each portion of the project, and multilingual staff and volunteers closely assisted with interactions throughout the 2-day project. The first day of the project consisted of a viral hepatitis education session, a delicious catered lunch from Bagster
Road Community Centre, a raffle with gift vouchers up for grabs, and a discussion about day two of the project (the viral hepatitis blood testing and fibroscan clinic, which included a reading of the consent form). Following the education session, the women were able to correctly answer questions about viral hepatitis with ease. Most participants registered their interest to partake in the upcoming clinic and, helpfully, many were prepared with their ID, Medicare Card and doctor’s name. The paperwork was swiftly completed. On the second day of the project, the Viral Hepatitis Nurses for Adelaide’s North, Michelle and Bin, attended NMRC to undertake blood tests and fibroscans. Prior to the clinic, it was found that some participants had already received a blood test within recent years.
While a fibroscan was still undertaken, Bin and an interpreter sat with each of these women to make clear their previous blood result. The rest of the women received both procedures. In the coming weeks, participants will get a letter and a call about their upcoming appointment times to receive their results. To ensure confidentiality, these appointments will occur at the nearby GP Plus Centre. The Viral Hepatitis Nurses will work to ensure each person receives the followup care they require and, depending upon test results, a hepatitis B vaccine clinic may be organised by Hepatitis SA in the near future. We owe a special thanks to Michelle Dieu, Ishwara, Laxman, Dil and Renuka, as well as Bin and Michelle. We look forward to working with you all again! v Shannon
December 2020 • HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 88
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