Kanwal Saleem

Medical Doctor

I am a HEP Hero because I want to contribute to the elimination of the global epidemic of viral hepatitis by educating and empowering people because everyone deserves to live a longer and healthier life, free from stigma and discrimination.

I’m a medical doctor from Pakistan and currently pursuing my Master of Public Health, and I am active in my community promoting health literacy to the Victorian public.

As a Doctor, I have worked with health care facilities that focus on education, support and awareness for individuals with hepatitis, their families, their communities, and society.

During my internship as a medical doctor, my first rotation was in the Gastroenterology unit of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan which gave me the opportunity to work face-to-face with hepatitis B and hepatitis C positive patients and understand the burden of hepatitis among the Pakistani community.

While as a volunteer with Hepatitis Victoria I’ve been researching into the prevalence of viral hepatitis among the Pakistani community residing in Victoria. I’ve also been using my skills by delivering education sessions with the wider community.

I believe that we can significantly reduce the burden of viral hepatitis by educating our community, encouraging early testing and providing supportive environments by those affected individuals by reducing stigma and discrimination of the disease.