Liver Legend: Kico Chan

Kico Chan began her career as a research nurse at the Burnet Institute almost a decade ago. The focus was on eliminating hepatitis C and making testing and treatment more accessible.

That focus continues in her current role as a Hepatitis C Integrated Care Nurse Consultant at The Alfred, Bayside Health. Her work centres on meeting people where they are, often in community drug and alcohol services, GP clinics and NSP settings. “We understand that a lot of our clients don’t like to go to the hospital,” she explains. “Hospital is a very different space for them… it’s not convenient, they may feel stigmatised. They like to go somewhere with familiar doctors, familiar places.”

By working alongside GPs, she helps bridge the gap between community and specialist care. This is critical, because many of the people she supports would otherwise never attend a hospital appointment. At the same time, her role extends into the hospital itself, where she works to ensure that no patient is left without follow-up after testing.

“Anyone that has a hepatitis C test, we review the result… and make sure we try to contact them to link them to appropriate services, and offer ongoing support and follow up as needed,” she says. “Most of the time, it is not just a single phone call. It often takes many attempts and ongoing effort to ensure they receive the care they need.”

Kico has always felt drawn to supporting people who may be facing complex challenges. “I feel a strong desire to work with people who use drugs and alcohol and are experiencing homelessness. They are a particularly vulnerable population, and I am very fortunate that I can provide care to them in a much more accessible and flexible way,” she says. Treating hepatitis C can have a broader impact: “If I can help them with one health problem… make sure their liver is good, then they can have much better physical health and wellbeing.”

Although hepatitis C treatment is often described as simple, the reality for many clients is very different. “We might think just take a tablet for three months” she says. “A lot of clients… they have their own story… their own priorities. Taking one pill a day for three months may not be easy for them.”

Much of Kico’s work happens behind the scenes to make treatment possible. “We do a lot of work behind… talking to different people, different treatment teams, making sure their medication is delivered,” she explains. “It’s a big teamwork to treat one person.”

Her message for others working in this area is: “Don’t give up.” She emphasises patience and respect and says “If they don’t want the treatment in the first go, try again next time… it may not be today… it could take months or years. But don’t give up on them.”