The Riverland Roadshow A Hepatitis C Micro-Elimination Project
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n celebration of World Hepatitis Day 2022, Hepatitis SA—in collaboration with the South Australian Viral Hepatitis Nurses and pharmaceutical compan AbbVie—are undertaking a hepatitis C micro-elimination project in the South Australian Riverland.
commence with training for GPs, Nurses, Pharmacists, and community workers in the area. They will learn about hepatitis C testing, cure, and support services. They will also be informed of our upcoming testing clinics, which they can promote to patients.
It is estimated that there are around 650 remaining people in this region living with hepatitis C*. Testing and treatment could be vital for every one of them.
An important part of the project is preparing the local medical workforce, ensuring Riverland residents have access to healthcare workers with up-to-date knowledge about their health condition.
During the week of World Hepatitis Day (28 July), The Riverland Roadshow will
From Tuesday, 9 August until Friday, 12 August, free community hepatitis C
fingerstick testing clinics will be held at local pharmacies in Barmera, Loxton, Berri and Renmark. To participate, people just need to show up! They can wait for their turn or leave their details and be contacted when the nurse is ready. Blood will be taken via a simple fingerstick test, rather than the usual intravenous blood test. No longer will people have a long anxious wait for their test results. Participants will receive their results via phone on the same day they had their test. Then, those diagnosed with hepatitis C will be followed up by the Viral Hepatitis
Taking a simple fingerprick test for hepatitis C * MacLachlan J.H., Stewart, S. and Cowie, B. (2020). Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: National Report 2020. Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia: Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM), 2020. (www.ashm.org.au/programs/ Viral-Hepatitis-Mapping-Project)
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HEPATITIS SA COMMUNITY NEWS 94 • June 2022
