4207 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

4207 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter July to September 2024 toward the objective ‘Increase access to harm reduction strategies and prevention of hepatitis C transmission‘ under ‘Focus area 2: Prevention and harm reduction’ in the National Hepatitis C Action Plan?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that during the July to September 2024 quarter, the Needle Exchange Programme continued to distribute free equipment to people who inject drugs. I am further advised that during the quarter, Te Wai Pounamu set up a customised harm reduction van to increase outreach activities in Christchurch. I am also advised that during the quarter, Te Manawa Taki Region's mobile hepatitis C van became an authorised needle exchange and now carries Naloxone and HIV/Syphilis tests, with mobile clinics running weekly in some areas. In addition, the mobile service in Central Region offered free community hepatitis C screening at 20 different events.