Riverland Roadshow

The Riverland Roadshow: A Hepatitis C Micro-Elimination Project

In 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.

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.

* 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)

During the week of World Hepatitis Day (28 July), The Riverland Roadshow will 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.

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.

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 Nurse, who will ensure they are quickly offered the highly effective hepatitis C cure.

People living with hepatitis C can be cured within 12 weeks via a course of daily tablets that cause no or minimal side effects. The cure is highly affordable to those with a Medicare card, as they will only pay the pharmacy dispensing fee.

Finally, all Riverland residents, whether they get tested or not, will have the chance to enter our competition to win a $500 Pike River Luxury Villas gift voucher.

Would you like more information about the Riverland Roadshow? Contact Hepatitis SA and talk to the Education Team on 1800 437 222 or email education@ hepsa.asn.au, or you can visit Liverbetterlife.org.au.

Meet us in the Riverland for a hep C fingerstick test!

Tuesday, 9 August: Loxton Amcal Pharmacy - 6 East Tce, Loxton

Wednesday, 10 August: Berri Amcal Pharmacy - 14 Vaughan Tce, Berri

Thursday, 11 August: Renmark United Chemists - 227 Renmark Ave, Renmark

Friday, 12 August: Barmera Pharmacy - 20 Banwell Ave, Barmera