BCH shines a light on a hidden disease

A free community information session is being held next week to shine a light on the disease Hepatitis C.
Bellarine Community Health is hosting the event with support from Hepatitis Victoria.
Hepatitis Victoria is the state’s peak body advocating on behalf of people living with viral hepatitis and liver disease.
BCH received a small cash grant to stage the event, which Adult and Aged Services Executive Director Karen Harris hopes will help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease.
“We’re encouraging those people living with Hep C and their family and friends to come along and learn more about the latest treatments and speak to the experts about the disease,” Ms Harris said.
Raising awareness about viral hepatitis is one of Hepatitis Victoria’s most important tasks as ignorance and stigma lead to the death of up to six Victorians every week as a consequence of the condition.
“Our small grants go to an amazing array of community projects, from the length and breadth of the state and they all help raise awareness about viral hepatitis and break down the stigma that surrounds this condition,” Hepatitis Victoria CEO Melanie Eagle said.
The two-hour free information session will include expert speakers from Bellarine Community Health and Barwon Health, and will cover topics such as the needle syringe program, past and current treatments available, harm minimisation and the importance of diet in liver health.
The Hepatitis C information session is being held at Bellarine Community Health’s Drysdale site at 23 Palmerston Street, on Wednesday August 28 from 3pm to 5pm.
The Hepatitis Victoria Infoline is 1800 703 003.