Hepatitis C mainly linked to injecting drug use in Finland: THL

In Finland, hepatitis C infections are mainly associated with injecting drug use, said the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in a press release on Tuesday.

It is estimated that there are around 28,000 people who inject drugs in Finland, of whom an estimated 20–30 per cent have an active hepatitis C infection, said THL on the World Hepatitis Day, observed annually on 28 July.

In the regional projects within the project package, testing and treatment are being integrated into the services used by people who inject drugs, such as health counselling points, substance abuse services, housing service units, and mobile and community-based outreach services.

With current tablet treatments taken once a day for 8–12 weeks, almost all hepatitis C infections can be cured.

In hepatitis C elimination work, testing is carried out not only for hepatitis C but also for HIV and hepatitis B, and hepatitis A and B vaccinations are offered. The operating model also strengthens infectious disease control more broadly.

Meanwhile, in Finland, efforts to eliminate hepatitis C are being strengthened through a national project package, with regional projects being carried out in 18 wellbeing services counties.

This year’s theme for World Hepatitis Day highlights the need to remove barriers to hepatitis prevention, testing and treatment. In Finland, this means above all bringing testing and treatment into the services that reach people at risk of hepatitis C infection.

Finland has committed to the World Health Organization (WHO) target of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030.

This target is being promoted through a national project package for hepatitis C elimination, which helps prevent new infections, promote early detection of infections and ensure access to treatment for everyone who needs it.