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HCV
co-infection among injecting drug users in Asia Pacific.
Background
Injecting drug users (IDUs) are disproportionately affected by the
Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV has serious deleterious implications on
IDUs’ quality of life and well being; especially for those who are also
infected with HIV. This overshadowed and mostly ignored epidemic affects
millions of IDUs. There is scientific evidence of what works to mitigate
the impact of HCV on IDUs but the response has been slow or virtually
non-existent.
While the international community is trying to consolidate its response
towards HIV, many Injecting drug users are dying a silent death despite
the fact that they are accessing HIV treatment. Many current harm
reduction approaches, such as needle and syringe programmes (NSP), Oral
Substitution Therapy (OST) provides dual protection against HIV and HCV
however the treatment and care part of the HCV infected or co-infected
drug users has been largely ignored. In many ways, injecting drug users
are benefiting from harm reduction yet continue to fall casualties of
HCV.
Various organizations and individuals after meeting in Goa Consultation
have join hands towards developing a framework and activities to support
HCV advocacy on the regional (Asian pacific) and global levels which
prior to the First Asian Consultation Meeting (28-31 January 2008) was
non existence.
During the Consultation, key stakeholders had the opportunity to realize
that coordinated efforts of all interested stakeholders was needed to
have a focused and cohesive HCV campaign which can effectively present
the drug users HCV problem to the society. It was also identified that
going forward with the HCV movement necessitates a unified and coherent
response based on clear direction, effective division of labor and best
use of the available expertise and resource.
We believe:
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HCV epidemic
affects millions of people and proves fatal to the majority
infected, yet it is largely ignored. |
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HCV treatment
should be provided as a part of comprehensive health care, a
fundamental human right, without stigma and discrimination
regardless of the mode of transmission. |
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HCV/HIV
co-infection, among drug users severely impacts quality of life
and treatment efficacy also adherence to both HCV and HIV. |
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Participation of
people living with HCV and those vulnerable to contracting HCV
is critical and urgently needed in order to address health
sector capacity to adequately treat HIV and/or HCV infection. |
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People living with
HCV, as compared to those living with HIV, are proportionately
less likely to access HCV treatment. |
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HCV treatment
remains inaccessible to most people living with HCV because
medications are patented and incur extremely high treatment
costs. |
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Harm reduction
approaches especially NSPs must be locally driven to meet the
needs of the community and be implemented in tandem with other
HIV and health care services. |
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