Posted: 26-Sep-2006 << BACK
More than 550,000 is to be invested in the Lothians to help tackle rates of hepatitis C infections.
Over the next two years, 275,154 will be allocated annually as part of a 4 million Scotland-wide action plan, which was announced by Health Minister Andy Kerr today .
The plan aims to improve hepatitis C-related services and reduce the number of new cases in Scotland. Funding will be distributed to NHS boards to assist them in enabling improvements in these areas.
A further 314,000 has also been allocated to an Executive-led campaign which will focus on improving knowledge among professionals to ensure that the people and their families affected by hepatitis C get the support they need and access to the best treatment and care available.
Speaking ahead of World Hepatitis Awareness Day on October 1, Mr Kerr said: "Hepatitis C is a significant public health problem, not only in Scotland but world-wide, that cannot be ignored. The first hepatitis C action plan published today will tackle this issue head-on. An estimated 50,000 people living in Scotland are infected with hepatitis C for which there is currently no vaccine to protect against."
