44471 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

44471 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter (January to March 2024) toward the objective ‘Increase knowledge and awareness in health care providers of hepatitis C services’ under ‘Focus area 1: Awareness and understanding’ in the National Hepatitis C Action Plan?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that regional hepatitis C services continued to deliver a range of education sessions and medical education events, including to primary care, Corrections staff, Probation staff, and other providers who work with high priority populations. I am further advised that a national Hepatitis Elimination and Management Update webinar was held on the Goodfellow site, attended by over 340 participants mainly from primary and community-based services. I am also advised that hepatitis C education and point-of-care testing training was offered to community-based health workers and outreach services including Māori and Pacific health providers.