HEPATITIS C

HEPATITS C AWARENESS

Aim:

• To educate people afflicted with HCV about their treatment and illness management options
• To create a coalition of patients, their families and medical care providers to provide mutual and medical support
• To create a coalition of patients, their families and medical care providers to provide mutual and medical support
• To promote hepatitis C awareness among school-going children, the public at large, policy makers and employers
• To advocate for better treatment options and employer benefits for persons affected with Hepatitis C
• To increase awareness and recognition of the seriousness of Hepatitis C as well as sensitivity towards patients

It is expected that the patients in the network will be able to help each learn how to live with the disease and provide mutual support as well as receive support and counselling from medical personnel. The general public and school children exposed to this initiative through events, media and targeted school contact programs will gain a better understanding and awareness of liver diseases and hepatitis in general and Hepatitis C in particular.

Activities

Patient Support Network

• A network of Hepatitis C patients has been created to provide mutual support and experience sharing amongst themselves through
• Hepatitis C hotline
• Online media such as chat, blog, e-newsletters
• Printed communication in English as well as Hindi for patients who are not net-savvy
• Support group meetings organized for experience sharing and counselling

Additionally, support in the form of counselling from medical personnel are also provided.

Public Awareness

Regular events are conducted to increase awareness of the spread, symptoms and treatment of the disease as well as to remove the stigma attached to the disease which is faced by most patients in India. These events are in the form of rallies, skits in malls, street plays, etc.

Advocacy

The organization has actively sought to lobby in government and pharmaceutical circles for more affordable health care and for the disease. Several medical conferences through collaboration with pharmaceutical companies have been held to that effect.The program also includes advocacy among employers and hiring agencies for inclusion of Hepatitis C treatment in medical reimbursement benefits for employees.

School Contact Program

Under this project, awareness among school children is promoted through interactive and participatory approaches by organizing events such as quizzes, poster-making and essay-writing competitions among others

In addition to the above, patients and survivors of Hepatitis C are encouraged to visit schools with HOPE team to share their experiences through interactive sessions. This, it is felt, will have a huge impact by bringing about sensitivity among students who will have first hand interaction with patients and learn about their struggles, the stigma as well as the physical and financial trauma they undergo.

• Hepatitis Programs in Schools and Hospitals include :
• Power point presentation on Hepatitis C
• Introduction to the disease through pamphlets and flip charts
• One to one interactive discussion on the disease
• Screening of the documentary film on Hepatitis B

By December 2016, HOPE has reached out to more than 2.5 lakh students through Hepatitis B & C awareness programmes carried out in hospitals, nursing colleges, pathological laboratories, schools, slums and community areas in Lucknow and Gurgaon.

Awareness amongst Barber Community & Beauty Parlours

Another sphere in which Hepatitis Awareness Programme has been carried out in Lucknow and Gurgaon has been awareness amongst the barber community. Barber community works with razors and blades which are common tools for carrying the virus. Hence need was felt to make the barbers aware of the need for using disposable blades and razors for the customers.

Baseline survey showed that this community was little aware of the dangers posed by blood borne Hepatitis. The union of barbers pledged its support to the cause by promising to persuade barbers to use fresh blades and needles for each customer. In addition, posters promising use of fresh blades and clean instruments along with information on Hepatitis B & C were shared for distribution in barber salons and shops. Similar awareness campaign has been carried out in beauty parlours and salons, which have been appreciated both by those who run the parlours and the customers.

Over 3000 barbers and over 100 beauty parlours have been reached out to through these awareness sessions.