11 May 2023
To coincide with Canadian Viral Hepatitis Elimination Day on 11th May, the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU), has launched three new films as part of its ‘Connecting with Care’ series.
These films showcase innovative models of hepatitis C (HCV) care from various Canadian provinces, highlighting remarkable healthcare initiatives and their impact on the health and well-being of people who use drugs and people living with viral hepatitis.
The films were developed in collaboration with CATIE, Canada’s trusted source for HIV and hepatitis information.
Connecting with Care – Calgary, Canada
CUPS medical clinic offers a range of health services, including primary health care, opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and mental health services for Calgary’s marginalised communities. This Connecting with Care film explores CUPS’ innovative seek-and-treat model, a joint effort between pharmacists and peer workers, which is bringing hepatitis C testing and treatment to marginalized communities across the city. Read/watch now.
Connecting with Care – Halifax, Canada
This film illustrates how the Mobile Outreach Street Health (MOSH) van initiative brings primary health care directly to individuals, fostering trust, building relationships, and improving health outcomes. Led by nurses, this van-based model of care enables healthcare professionals to engage with individuals in a more comfortable and accessible environment. Read/watch now.
Connecting with Care – Victoria, Canada
This film provides an inside look into the Cool Aid Community Health Centre. Cool Aid’s approach to healthcare and hepatitis C treatment is rooted in its commitment to providing support and care to individuals facing poverty, substance use, homelessness, and mental health challenges. Read/watch now.
In 2021, the Connecting with Care series profiled several other Canadian models of Care, including Ahtahkakoop, which profiled the Know Your Status project and Toronto which profiled the Toronto Community Hep C project.
Executive Director of INHSU, Emma Day, said, “These films showcase Canada’s commitment to eliminating hepatitis C and offer a valuable opportunity for healthcare professionals and policymakers to learn from innovative models of HCV care from across the country.”
In its second year, Canadian Viral Hepatitis Elimination Day is an initiative led by Action Hepatitis Canada in collaboration with CanHepC, CanHepB, the Canadian Liver Foundation, and the Canadian Association for the Study of the Liver. All three films were created by visual storyteller Conor Ashleigh, on behalf of INHSU, and in collaboration with CATIE and CanHepC.
To view all of the global films and learn more about the ‘Connecting with Care’ series, please click here.
