Supporting People at Most Risk of Hepatitis C

WANADA will build on its work to support alcohol and other drug services in improving the quality of life and long-term health of clients at risk of living with hepatitis C, thanks to renewed funding from the WA Department of Health and in collaboration with Peer Based Harm Reduction WA.

Priority populations, such as people leaving prison or detention and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, will be a focus in 2026.

“Research shows that additional barriers to treatment, including stigma and discrimination, may prevent people from these groups receiving appropriate hepatitis C care,” says WANADA Project Officer Helin Cimen. “WANADA will review the data and key stakeholder and sector experience to explore opportunities to enhance hepatitis C responsiveness with these priority populations.”

Since 2019, Western Australian alcohol and other drug services have joined the global effort to eliminate hepatitis C, a now curable liver condition, by 2030. This collective action has included development of the HCVCAT, a practical capability building tool that supports organisations to strengthen hepatitis C responsiveness.

“WANADA will seek feedback from alcohol and other drug services to maximise the HCVCAT’s benefits for services who work with priority populations,” says Helin. “I’m excited by the potential of new professional relationships that can support improved hepatitis C care, and we’re keen to hear from services that may be able to contribute.”

For more information or to express your interest in the project, please contact Helin Cimen on (08) 6289 0750 or via [email protected]. Relevant resources and background are available at the Hepatitis C Care Capability Building Project.

Pictured: Project Officer Helin Cimen and Sector Development Manager Rochelle McIntosh.