Each World Hepatitis Day (28 July) communities around the world come together to join the ongoing fight against viral hepatitis. This year, Hepatitis ACT hosted a World Hepatitis Day Breakfast welcoming over 30 of Canberra’s leading politicians, policymakers, and health practitioners to mark the progress made and recognise the barriers we still need to break down.
With a simple and effective cure, hepatitis C numbers continue to decline. In contrast, hepatitis B which is treatable, not curable remains the most prevalent blood-borne virus, not only in the ACT but worldwide.
Taking the stand, Minister for Population Health, Emma Davidson reinforced the ACT Government’s commitment to eliminating hepatitis B by 2030. Minister Davidson said that although the ACT exceeds the national average of people with hepatitis B receiving care, we are falling behind the targets set in 2022.
If things were to continue as they are the ACT will reach the targets for the proportion diagnosed and in care by 2037, and the proportion treated by 2029. Echoing the World Hepatitis Day theme this year, Minister Davidson said “It’s Time for Action”.
Highlighting the discrimination and racism in the fight against viral hepatitis was guest speaker, Chin Wong, Secretary of Canberra Multicultural Community Forum and Registered Nurse. Bringing first-hand experience interacting with those facing discrimination due to the misconceptions of the disease, Ms Wong reiterated the need to address systematic racism in the Australian healthcare system.
“World Hepatitis Day this year highlighted the urgent need to address the barriers that keep people, especially those living with hepatitis B, from accessing the care they deserve,” said Sarah Ahmed, Executive Director of Hepatitis ACT “It’s clear that without building our community workforce and raising awareness about testing, many Canberrans will continue to miss out on life-saving treatment.”
Committed to transforming this reality by intensifying the efforts of the organisation in the year ahead, Ms Ahmed intends to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against viral hepatitis.
“By strengthening partnerships and expanding our services, especially for hepatitis B, we will make real progress towards eliminating hepatitis by 2030,” she said “Together, we can improve awareness, increase testing, and support better care pathways for our community.”
Beyond the breakfast, Hepatitis ACT partnered with eight local cafes to spread awareness across Canberra in the Coffee Cup Campaign. Cups adorned with our recognisable Resilience Mural made their way across the Capital and our screens as coffee drinkers uploaded images to their social platforms.
Iconic landmarks like the National Museum of Australia and The Royal Australian Mint glowed green in support. Malcolm Fraser Bridge lit up as an awareness beacon to those flying over Canberra Airport.
Across the globe, someone dies from hepatitis-related illnesses every 30 seconds, many of which are preventable. Left untreated hepatitis can lead to conditions like liver cancer, a rapidly growing leader in cancer deaths in Australia.
More than 5,000 Canberrans are living with hepatitis B or C, often without symptoms. Not part of routine blood tests, you can request a viral hepatitis test from your GP, or better yet visit Hepatitis ACT.
