Theme: Models of Care Year: 2019
Background:
In early 2018, Coalition PLUS conducted a qualitative study of most-at-risk populations and healthcare
workers (HCW) to explore issues related to hepatitis C (HCV) awareness and access to HCV services.
Through focus groups and interviews, five countries were profiled in the study—Malaysia, Morocco,
Thailand, India, and Indonesia. Key takeaways from the study were the lack of HCW knowledge
concerning the needs of most-at-risk populations and the lack of local HCV service capacity.
Description of model of care/intervention:
Several of the in-country partners leading the study have subsequently engaged in HCV trainings of
HCWs. The trainings were adapted to various local settings; all promoted HCV literacy (disease and
services) and sensitized HCWs on needs of most-at-risk populations—most notably people who inject
drugs (PWID) and people living with HIV (PLHIV). Implementing organizations included CoNE (India),
ALCS (Morocco), MAC (Malaysia), MTAAG+ (Malaysia), and TREAT Asia. This project was funded by
Unitaid.
Effectiveness:
CoNE trained 150 HCWs in Manipur to serve as trainers. In Indonesia, PKNI supported HCW pilot
training in all of the 6 priority provinces. In Morocco, 16 doctors from different regions attended a
training led by ALCS. Trainings were conducted for a further 54 persons from the local prison
administration and prison medical personal. Through broader awareness-raising activities, ALCS has
also reached 212 general practitioners. In Malaysia, MAC’s workshops trained 36 medical personnel
in total (32 doctors and 4 nurses). MTAAG+ distributed a total of 1900 English and 785 Bahasa HCV
training guides for HCWs. The TREAT Asia workshop was attended by 48 physicians from 16 countries.
Conclusion and next steps:
Community-led trainings have been implemented to increase HCV knowledge and service capacity
among HCWs to better address the needs of marginalized populations across 5 countries. These smallscale programs were used to promote the addition of specific HCW trainings on most-at-risk
populations’ needs in HCV strategic plans.
Disclosure of Interest Statement:
This project was funded by Unitaid.