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completed campaign

Hep C Action

Hep C Action is calling for the elimination of hepatitis C in New Zealand and the throughout the globe ahead of the WHO 2030 target. This is the first time since penicillin that there is the ability to eliminate a global top 5 infectious disease.

Hep C Action brings patient voices to the elimination campaign, and is renowned for its positive, forward focused messaging on this highly stigmatised virus. Hep C Action is increasingly having global reach and recognition for its work in the elimination campaign, and is now the first patient-led initiative to lead a “Cure-a-Country” campaign bringing their contacts, skills and voice to support Niue to become the first country in the world to become hep C free.


Seed the Change | He Kākano Hāpai is proud to have seeded Hep C Action in its first two and a half years. We were able to support the team to identify and activate key levers to enact systemic change both nationally and globally. Practically this involved providing project support, resourcing, strategic direction, and through providing and attracting funding to this campaign. The team now have the capacity and most definitely the capability to continue the work of Hep C Action. Hazel Heal is now leading this work through Global Health New Zealand, founded in 2020.

 
“We’re thrilled that they have now outgrown us and that our early stage seed support will undoubtedly have saved lives. We can’t wait to see more people return to health and wellness through Hep C Action’s patient advocacy, formidable drive and ambition.”
— Claire Newman, Manger, Seed the Change
 
 
 

Here’s a few key achievements from the first two years:

 

What we did:

  1. Formed a team founded with hep C survivors.

  2. Led with patient-voices, positioning our messaging as positive, forward-focused, and based on the positive health outcomes that are possible.

  3. Launched a symbol for hepatitis C elimination - the hep C butterfly.

  4. Participated in policy development and advocacy: responded to the Pharmac consultation; having seats on District Health Board committees; having seats on the Ministry of Health’s Steering Committee for the National Elimination Strategy of Hepatitis C.

  5. Ran nationwide public awareness campaigns on billboards, the media, and films.

  6. Championing and nominating hep C advocates - Hazel Heal, finalist, Women of Influence 2018; Hazel Heal, Edmund Hillary Fellow; Jo De Lisle Global Hepatitis Elimination Champion

 
“Now that there is a cure my advocacy is about bringing the virus into the light and out of the dark. ”
— Hazel Heal speaking to Braveheart Christchurch.
 
 
 
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The Butterfly - a symbol of hep C elimination

The butterfly symbol is like the red ribbon for HIV and intended for global use by anyone working in the broad field of Hepatitis C elimination. There is no cost to use the symbol and the copyright has been assigned to the public domain. It symbolises the transformative effect that antiviral treatment has on patients cured of the disease and the beauty of restoring people to full health again

 
 
 
 
 
The Butterfly Effect - The celebrities who suffered from hepatitis C before the cure. The Listener’s journalist Russell Brown profiles hep C and the Hep C Action Aotearoa team.

The Butterfly Effect - The celebrities who suffered from hepatitis C before the cure. The Listener’s journalist Russell Brown profiles hep C and the Hep C Action Aotearoa team.

 
 
 

 What's the challenge?

Over 50,000 people are estimated to be infected with hepatitis C in Aotearoa New Zealand, with half being undiagnosed. This compares to approximately 3,500 people living with HIV in New Zealand.

Hep C Action is calling for the elimination of hepatitis C in New Zealand by 2025, five years ahead of the WHO target, and the same target date adopted by the United Kingdom.

Infection has often occurred through accidental transmission, for example through dental work carried out over 20 years ago, or through incarceration. This has created a human rights issue, including the State’s duty of care that has not been publicly acknowledged.

This highly stigmatised public health issue will be addressed through the normalising of “test and treat” campaign, piloted in prisons, accompanied by a review of the legislation to remove structural barriers to treatment.  

Join us as we embark on a national campaign to raise awareness. 

 

What we need for national elimination:

Success will depend on key stakeholders coming together to address this hidden health issue. We continue to call for:

1. Elimination of HCV by 2025     

2. Treatment Equality  

3. Government Leadership

4. Public Health Campaign

5. A Collaborative Approach

6. Funding support.

 
 
 
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