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Government must release Hepatitis report

AMA President, Dr Bill Glasson, said today the Government should immediately release the findings of the Review of the National Hepatitis Strategy for the information of the general public and the medical profession.

Dr Glasson said the Review may benefit the community and medical response to this crippling disease.

"It is in the interests of our national public health that the paper be made public," Dr Glasson said.

"Every month, more than 1300 people contract Hepatitis C.

"In the 2003-2004 Federal Budget, the government promoted a focus on prevention.

"Releasing this report and acting on the findings is vital to preventing the further spread of Hepatitis C.

"There are concerns that Government funding to address the Hepatitis C problem of $15.9 million over four years is not nearly enough.

"The relatively low funding is out of step with the enormity of the problem in the Australian community.

"Doctors, patients and carers need the latest information if the Hepatitis C problem is to be contained.

"Failure to act now on the issue of Hepatitis C has the capacity to cripple the health system in coming years if resources are not urgently allocated into both prevention and treatment programs," Dr Glasson said.

Hepatitis C infections are occurring at a rate of 16,000 each year - an increase of 45 per cent since 1997.

It is estimated that there are a quarter of a million people living with Hepatitis C in Australia. It is projected that this figure may rise to 836,000 by 2020.

Hepatitis C is the most commonly diagnosed notifiable disease in Australia.

CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761

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