8671 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

8671 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the last quarter (October – December 2023) toward the objective ‘Increase the integration and coordination of hepatitis C-related prevention, harm reduction and treatment services’ under ‘Focus area 2: Prevention and harm reduction’ in the National Hepatitis C Action Plan?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the October – December 2023 quarter, hepatitis C nurses continued to provide a range of clinics at needle exchanges across the country. I am further advised that during the quarter, a Mobile Community Partnership was set up by the Te Manawa Taki regional hepatitis C programme manager and local needle exchange service to provide integrated harm reduction services and hepatitis C testing. I am also advised that some regions have been developing dried blood spot testing to support people who inject drugs by providing an alternative to testing that involves drawing blood.