HepatitisWA – A Long Journey
Hepatitis WA's Matthew Armstrong - A Profile
WANADA recently met with HepatitisWA program manager Matthew Armstrong to discuss the organisation’s vision, progress and goals.
A dedicated volunteer turned staff member, Matthew has been involved with HepatitisWA for over a decade – witnessing significant progress in hepatitis awareness, treatment, and prevention.
Before the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in the mid-2010s, preventing and treating Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) as a chronic illness was a major focus.
Since the development of this pivotal medication that can cure most people with a HCV infection over a short treatment duration, people’s lives have been changed forever.
“After its introduction, we suddenly had this flood of people with their finger on the pulse that wanted to get treated,” Matthew said.
“In the first 18 months we had the same amount of people showing up as we had in 18 years prior to that, about forty-five thousand people coming out of the woodwork.”
As a result, HepatitisWA began to prioritise treatment services and prevention instead of strategies in managing the illness.
“There was this evolution,” Matthew said.
“Nowadays we’re less about lifestyle, and more about the bigger picture of making this treatment thing happen, removing barriers for accessing the treatment and improving testing.”
With Australia positioned as a global leader to reach HCV elimination targets by 2030, Matthew stressed the need for continued action to realise that goal.
“It’s more important than ever to remain focused,” he said.
“The idea that we can just exclusively treat our way out of it won’t work – if we’re going to get on top of this, we must tackle it from both sides.”
“You have to address the social determinants, there’s never been a more important time to ramp up prevention, education and testing.”
Matthew will be a featured speaker at the upcoming HCV Online Information Session on August 7.
Sector News and Events
WA Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drug Strategy 2025-2030
A Discussion Paper has been developed to inform the development of the Mental Health and Alcohol and other Drug Strategy. The focus of the Discussion Paper is to identify key priorities and focus areas that will guide the development of the MHAOD Strategy.
NDRI Research Symposium 2025
Event Date : 4 March 2025
'Challenges and Opportunities: Reducing AOD-related Harm in 2025 and Beyond' will be held at the Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges in Walyalup/Fremantle.
FYI E-Newsletter September 2024
In the September edition of FYI, WANADA's monthly e-newsletter, we feature Palmerston's attainment of a Rainbow Tick, WA Alcohol and Other Drug Conference Abstracts and Registrations opening and more.
WANADA 40th Anniversary: Celebrating 40 Years of Driving Positive Change
Find out how WANADA is celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2024.