Finalist: Health Equity Award
People who inject drugs are a priority population in the NSW Hepatitis C (Hep C) Strategy, which sets the goal of eliminating Hep C by 2028.
To increase testing and treatment uptake in this population, the Drug and Alcohol Service ran 3 waves of Hep C testing campaigns within the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District between 2018 and 2024. This was part of a multi-site research project ETHOS II. In a single visit, each participant received a test using a new point-of-care testing method involving an Xpert® Hep C viral fingerstick test, a fibro scan of their liver, a clinical assessment and their test result. If the result showed active infection, a treatment appointment was arranged.
Overall, Hep C cases declined from 30% in 2018 to 10% in 2024, with 338 tests conducted. The successful treatment rate increased from 23% in 2018 to 31% in 2024. The Service has also scaled up the point-of-care testing via its C-Side Van mobile clinic, reaching communities in metropolitan, regional and rural areas.
Meet the other finalists for the Health Equity Award.
The 2025 Health Equity Award is proudly sponsored by LeasePLUS.
