World Hepatitis Day: July 28
WHO Goal: Eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030
The World Health Organization has a goal to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030, which makes days like World Hepatitis Day so important. Every year on July 28, there is a push to raise global awareness of hepatitis — a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E — and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
At CUPS, the Liver Clinic serves patients with Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and Cirrhosis through consultation with an infectious disease specialist, disease monitoring and treatment, vaccinations and education. In the last year, the clinic has helped more than 100 people complete their Hepatitis C treatment and the team continues to work hard to expand screening processes and decrease barriers for those who need treatment.
Hepatitis C is curable and treatment is short, effective and with limited (if any) side effects. Transmitted through blood to blood contact, there is no vaccine for Hep C, so prevention and treatment are key to stopping the spread.
Expanding outreach
The CUPS Liver Clinic has stepped into an important role of outreach, specifically the training and support of local nurses and clinicians within Calgary to implement Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) testing and treatment in their own environments. In addition, the CUPS doctors have been working to provide treatment at alternative locations such as the Mustard Seed or Metro City Clinic.
“Outreach funding as allowed myself and Dr. MacPhail to go out into the community to screen and treat clients that may not come to CUPS themselves,” explains Kate Newcombe, a Registered Nurse at the CUPS Liver Clinic.
A little bit about the liver
The liver is your body’s powerhouse organ! It performs more than 500 functions that are critical to everyday life and provides the body energy, fights off infections and toxins, helps clot blood, regulates hormones and much more.
Your liver likes a healthy diet. Too much alcohol and an excessive amount of saturated fat and sugar can impact the liver’s ability to perform well. Keep it happy with healthy, balanced eating and staying within your alcohol limit.
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