Unitaid, a global health organization, has announced a $31 million commitment to prevent the spread of hepatitis C among injecting drug users and other at-risk groups including those incarcerated.
The blood-borne illness, which may result in catastrophic liver damage and cancer if left untreated, disproportionately affects marginalized communities.
One in four inmates and one in ten drug injectors both have current hepatitis C infections.
In the majority of low- and middle-income nations, where 80% of those living with the virus do, there are now extremely effective therapies that are also reasonably priced, according to Unitaid.
Yet the majority of them lack access to medical treatment.
With the help of its financing, attempts will be made to connect with these individuals by incorporating testing and treatment into harm reduction programs.
It will also test the usage of two underutilized items in an effort to lessen the hazards connected with drug injection.
Egypt, India, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Ukraine, and Vietnam will all conduct tests on both.
Other blood-borne illnesses like HIV will not spread as a result of the preventative methods and technologies.
