The Northern Territory is taking significant steps to raise awareness about hepatitis as it prepares for World Hepatitis Day on July 28. A series of community events and free testing clinics will be held across the region, focusing on hepatitis B and C, which are among the leading causes of liver cancer globally and in Australia.
According to the Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council (NTAHC), hepatitis B and C account for approximately 90% of liver-related deaths in Australia. Nurse Practitioner Anngie Everitt from the NTAHC emphasizes the importance of early testing, stating, “The earlier people are tested, the sooner they can be cured or managed – and prevent serious illness.”
Recent findings from the Menzies School of Health Research indicate that a unique strain of chronic hepatitis B, specifically the C4 sub-genotype, predominantly affects First Nations people and progresses aggressively towards liver cirrhosis and cancer. By the end of 2023, over 6,300 individuals in the Northern Territory were living with hepatitis B or C. Alarmingly, treatment rates have fallen, with only 2% of those with hepatitis C and 10.9% of those with hepatitis B receiving treatment in 2023, despite available cures.
The NTAHC encourages anyone who may be at risk to take advantage of the free testing services. “There’s a simple one pill a day for 12 weeks cure for hepatitis C and treatment and vaccination for hepatitis B,” Everitt adds.
NTAHC Alice Springs Manager Karen Nicolaysen highlights the organization’s coordination of the national HepLink Australia program. This initiative offers free and confidential hepatitis C testing in partnership with Clinic 34, available Monday to Friday during business hours. Results can be delivered on the spot within 1 to 60 minutes.
“The testing model is peer-led and carried out by peer workers with lived experience of hepatitis C,” Nicolaysen explains. This approach provides important support and education aimed at improving patients’ quality of life. The peer workers’ own experiences help create a non-judgmental environment, fostering trust and connection with clients.
NTAHC Darwin also offers a weekly hepatitis clinic every Thursday, where clients can receive tailored testing and treatment plans. Peer worker Sal Endemann plays a crucial role in guiding clients through the treatment process, helping to reduce stigma and connect them with necessary care. “We walk alongside the person for the whole process from testing to treatment to cure,” Everitt notes, emphasizing the organization’s holistic approach.
Symptoms of hepatitis B can often be mild or unnoticed, including fatigue, joint pain, jaundice, dark urine, or abdominal discomfort. If left untreated, both hepatitis B and C can lead to severe liver complications.
In conjunction with these initiatives, NTAHC has organized several free clinics and awareness events. Notable offerings include:
– Free Hepatitis Testing at NTAHC Alice Springs, Shop 3, Reg Harris Lane, Todd Mall, Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5 PM (closed for lunch from 12 PM – 1 PM).
– Free Hepatitis Testing at NTAHC Darwin, 1 Searcy St, Darwin, every Thursday.
– Healthy Liver Lunch at NTAHC Darwin on July 31 from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, providing free meals and clinic information.
Media representatives are invited to attend events in Darwin or Alice Springs and can arrange interviews with key personnel, including Everitt, Nicolaysen, and Endemann. For more information, contact James Emery at [email protected] or Linda Apps at 0433 999 017.
World Hepatitis Day is a critical opportunity to break the stigma surrounding hepatitis and promote testing and treatment. This year’s events aim to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against hepatitis in the Northern Territory.
For additional information about World Hepatitis Day, visit https://www.worldhepatitisday.org.au/get_involved.
