October 19,2000                                                                     

KINGSTON PROJECT AIMS TO REDUCE HEPATITIS C CASES IN HIGH RISK GROUPS

KINGSTON – Peter Milliken, Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands, on behalf of the Honourable Allan Rock, Minister of Health, today announced funding from the Government of Canada totaling $41,500 over 19 months for a Hepatitis C prevention and education program.  The sponsoring agency is HIV/AIDS Regional Services.

 “This project will focus on target populations that have experienced recent increases in cases of Hepatitis C virus infections,” said Mr. Milliken.  “Through partnerships with a variety of community organizations, it will strive to prevent further cases.”

The primary goals of this project are to prevent Hepatitis C infection, particularly among prisoners in local correctional facilities, and to provide the education and support needed by intravenous drug users who are living with, or affected by, the Hepatitis C virus.  The agency estimates that the rate of Hepatitis C in correctional facilities has increased over the last five years, and has noticed an increase in the number of clients requesting information on Hepatitis C.

This project involves the development of information and education programs to be delivered in conjunction with the HIV/AIDS Regional Services prevention work for the local prison population in partnership with the surrounding community.  In addition, the agency will respond to a request from its clients by hosting a support group for people living with the Hepatitis C virus, and will provide the necessary resources.

HIV/AIDS Regional Services also plans to strengthen partnerships within the community by creating a Hepatitis C advisory committee with representatives from Street Health Kingston, the Community Care Access Centre, and staff from local public health offices, correctional services and addiction services agencies.  The committee will work towards providing coordinated services to the target communities and fostering supportive environments for people living with, or affected by, the Hepatitis C virus.