The plan to wipe out HIV infection by British Columbia health experts was so successful, they’re trying to replicate the idea for the treatment of viral hepatitis.
Concern about viral hepatitis is primarily in immigrant populations, according to Health Minister Margaret MacDiarmid, who announced $1.9 million in new provincial funding this week.
She said it’s common for people who come to Canada from other countries with less preventive vaccines to have viral hepatitis without knowing it – even those in their “prime.”
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, 25 per cent of hepatitis C cases and most hepatitis B infections occur in immigrants, most of whom were infected in their country of origin.
The charitable group S.U.C.C.E.S.S., which helps those in immigrant communities settle into Canada, will receive $400,000 in funding.
The money will be spent on education, awareness and prevention of hepatitis B among immigrants.
The other $1.5 million will be spent on hepatitis B and C research.
Dr. Julio Montaner, director of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/ AIDS, said he believes his centre has led the way in fighting HIV/AIDS, and he hopes the same can be done for hepatitis.