Hepatitis Victoria Welcomes New National Strategies On Victoria’s Silent Killer

Hepatitis Victoria were pleased to be present at launch of the National BBV and STI Strategies 2014-2017 by the Hon Peter Dutton MP, Minister for Health, and the Hon David Davis, MP, Minister for Health at the Alfred Hospital on Monday.

Hepatitis Victoria CEO Melanie Eagle said she welcomes the new national hepatitis strategies and looks forward to theMe Andrew Little (Community representative, Hepatitis Australia Board) Minister Garry Frank Victorian government’s implementation of the strategies on hepatitis B and C. “We are particularly pleased that the new strategies are consistent with much of what are contained within our Framework for Action on Viral Hepatitis, which as part of our HepUp campaign we are asking all major parties to adopt in their health platforms this year for the November elections.”

Over 120,000 Victorians now live with viral hepatitis and the disease, with four Victorians a week diagnosed with the virus, yet there is little awareness of its transmission and treatment, earning it the name Victoria’s ‘silent’ killer.

Hepatitis Victoria wholeheartedly endorses Hepatitis Australia’s call for further urgent investment in prevention and treatment programs to slow the spread of the virus and improve levels of treatment.

Click here to view the new strategies.