Minister for Health Announces National Hepatitis Strategies are Open for Public Consultation 21 June 2023 Hepatitis Australia thanks Australian Minister for Health, the Hon Mark Butler MP for his support of the National Hepatitis B Strategy and the National Hepatitis C Strategy. On 21 June 2023, the Minister published a media release announcing that consultations are open on National Hepatitis Strategies, which is copied below: Australians can now have a say on two important strategies that will guide Australiaâs action against hepatitis B and C to eliminate these viruses as public health threats by 2030. Hepatitis B and C are a significant public health challenge. These viruses can cause serious illness that inflames and damages the liver. In Australia, about 232,000 people live with hepatitis B, and about 227,000 people live with hepatitis C. The draft Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023â2030 and Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023â2030 outline goals, targets, priority populations and settings, and key areas for action to help Australians live free from the impact of hepatitis B and C. The strategies are part of a broader set of new National Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and Sexually Transmissible Infections (STI) Strategies setting a strong direction for Australiaâs continued and worldâleading response to BBV and STI. Both strategies were drafted following significant consultation with state and territory governments, sector peak bodies including Hepatitis Australia, national community organisations, national research centres of excellence, and the Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee. Where to access the consultation documents A link to the Consultation Hub is available here: Development of the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2030 and Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023-2030 - Public Consultation Online Survey - Australian Government Department of Health - Citizen Space A link to the draft strategies, referred to within the webpage above, can be found here: National strategies for bloodborne viruses and sexually transmissible infections | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care Or access them directly here: Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2030 Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023-2030 The public consultation closes on 28 June 2023. Read more about hepatitis B or C. Quotes attributable to Minister Butler: âEnsuring Australians can live free from the impact of hepatitis B and C is an Australian Government priority. âEveryone deserves equitable access to vaccines, prevention measures, education, testing, management and treatment. âWe are working to eliminate hepatitis B and C as public health threats by 2030. These strategies will help guide our work over the next 8 years to achieve this ambitious, lifesaving goal.â Read the original release Manage Cookie Preferences