MSPs unite in fight to tackle hepatitis

Today, on World Hepatitis Day, The Hepatitis C Trust has announced the re-establishment of the Hepatitis C Parliamentary Champions group. Co-ordinated by The Hepatitis C Trust, the group is made up of a cross-party selection of MSPs and has the aim of ensuring that hepatitis C stays firmly on the political agenda in Scotland. By working together with The Hepatitis C Trust, the Champions will ensure that the best interests of people with hepatitis C in Scotland are represented in the Scottish Parliament.
For many years and under successive governments, Scotland has acted as a global leader in tackling hepatitis C, and September 2015 the Scottish Government committed to the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health concern. The Hepatitis C Parliamentary Champions will seek to work alongside the Scottish Government, NHS and the third sector to ensure that the aim of elimination is made a reality, and that Scotland becomes one of the first countries in the world to eliminate the virus.
The Hepatitis C Parliamentary Champions are:
Tom Arthur, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire South
Gillian Martin, SNP MSP for Aberdeenshire East
Richard Lyle, SNP MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill
Rhoda Grant, Labour MSP for Highlands and Islands
Anas Sarwar, Labour MSP for Glasgow
Johann Lamont, Labour MSP for Glasgow
Jackson Carlaw, Conservative MSP for Eastwood
Alison Johnstone, Greens MSP for Lothian
Charles Gore, Chief Executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, said: “In the last Parliament, our Parliamentary Champions played a huge role in raising the profile of hepatitis C, and we are delighted to today announce our new Champions. The fact that they come from all sides of the political spectrum really does show the cross-party support that exists for the elimination of hepatitis C, and we are delighted that they are so committed to ensuring that the voices of people with hepatitis C in Scotland will be heard at the highest political level.”