Matters of Interest

Hepatitis

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:26): I rise to speak on hepatitis, a growing health concern within South Australia. In late July, the Hon. Tammy Franks, the Hon. Stephen Wade and I hosted a forum in Old Parliament House conducted by Hepatitis SA on 'The Australian Hepatitis Report Card'.

Speakers at the forum included Kerry Paterson, Executive Officer of Hepatitis SA and Jeffrey Stewart, a board member of Hepatitis SA. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and it can be brought on by alcohol, drugs, viruses and other toxins. Viral hepatitis refers to hepatitis resulting from the infection of the liver by viruses.

There are about 6,550 people known in South Australia living with hepatitis B, yet there is an estimated 14,400 people living with chronic hepatitis B and 18,000 with hepatitis C in South Australia. These numbers are growing and it is estimated that 15,000 Australians are diagnosed with either hepatitis B or C each year.

Many Australians living with chronic viral hepatitis are not benefitting from regular liver check-ups; 87 per cent of people living with chronic hepatitis B are not engaged in care. Experts cite low community awareness, stigma, low awareness amongst healthcare professionals and a lack of service provision. As a result, many Australians with hepatitis B and C are developing serious and life-threatening liver disease.

Regular liver check-ups must be made available to avert a liver disease crisis. This was also the focus of World Hepatitis Day on 28 July this year. In recognising this issue, the South Australian government launched its Hepatitis B Action Plan on World Hepatitis Day. It was launched by Lisa Vlahos, MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier. The plan's goal is to reduce transmission incidence of hepatitis B as well as to reduce death from the illness.

The plan has identified partnerships with communities as a key to an effective response to hepatitis B in the state, and its strategy aims to improve clinical management of chronic hepatitis B. Some people with hepatitis B have been told they are 'healthy carriers'. We now know there is no such thing as a healthy carrier. All people with hepatitis B require lifelong liver monitoring and treatment to prevent complications. The action plan, aimed at informing all GPs there is no such thing as a healthy carrier, is to ensure that all people with hepatitis B receive lifelong treatment.

Over 50 per cent of people living with hep B or C are in the liver danger zone. The liver danger zone is the point where a person's risk of serious and life-threatening liver disease caused by hep B or C is increased significantly due to their age. Left untreated, it can lead to liver cirrhosis, causing liver damage and ultimately liver failure. The first important step is ensuring all people with chronic viral hepatitis receive regular liver check-ups. Successful anti-viral therapy has the opportunity to reverse the trend, turning high danger into low danger, but only if people with hepatitis have access to the appropriate treatment through regular liver check-ups.

I must mention the heart-wrenching presentation at the forum by a mother who told us about how she found out about having hepatitis, which she had contracted years earlier. She spoke of the shame and guilt she felt, particularly about bringing this into a family. With the support of her husband, she is dealing with her hepatitis. She told the forum how she had finally told a family friend about her condition when he wrongly asserted how hepatitis could be contracted and how this spurred her on to volunteer with Hepatitis SA. Her talk was truly inspirational.

Sadly, close to 1,000 Australians die each year from hepatitis B or C-related causes, many hundreds more than from HIV, yet most South Australians know little about the virus and how it affects individuals, families and communities. I commend Hepatitis SA for the work they are doing to raise community awareness on hepatitis.