NEWS DESK
Hep C rates rise but treatment improves
Police cadets out on patrol
Liz Bell liz@baysidenews.com.au
Public safety: Senior Sergeant Michael Lamb leads his police team through Shannon Mall, Thursday. Picture: Gary Sissons
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HEPATITIS C infection rates in Frankston, the Mornington Peninsula and neighbouring Casey are among the highest in Australia, with people who used drugs in the 1970s and 80s emerging as the highest risk group to have the blood-born virus. A recently released report shows that almost 2600 residents from the three south-eastern suburbs were treated for the illness last year, a ten-fold increase in previous years. But Frankston specialist Dr David Badov says the numbers are promising, revealing a new trend in sufferers seeking treatment with cheaper medications that are 98 per cent effective. Dr Badov, who is head of gastroenterology at Frankston Hospital and has run a Hepatitis C clinic in Frankston for more than 20 years, said the results from the Kirby Institute report indicate that elimination of the disease, which is a major public health risk and can destroy a patient’s liver, is now a possibility within 10 to 15 years. He said the large number of people being treated last year did not show that infections were increasing, but was an indication that treatment was better, affordable and easier to take. Last year several previously expensive new treatments were made available under the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, and unlike earlier intravenous drugs, are taken orally and do not cause debilitating side effects.
Hepatitis C can only be transferred by blood to blood contact and has long been stigmatised and associated with illicit drug use. However, Dr Badov said that since the new treatments recently became available, he was seeing a lot of middle-aged patients who may have only “dabbled” in drugs once 30 or 40 years ago, but were only now finding out, or had recently sought treatment. “Some people I have seen have suspected or known about their infection, but were not prepared to take earlier treatments because of the nausea and other side effects,” he said. “The great thing now for anyone who has been worried about having the virus, or taking the treatment, is that it’s better and has a 98 per cent success rate.”
Advisers needed THE Peninsula Advisory Committee for Elders (PACE) is calling on senior residents to join the committee. PACE was established in May 2006. Committee members should be aged over 50 who live on the peninsula, full or part-time. Expressions of interest close Friday 3 March. Details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/PACE or 5950 1617.
South America SPEAKER Heather Ducat will talk about Iguazu to Atacama – world’s largest waterfall and driest desert – South America, at Peninsula Field Naturalists’ next meeting. It’s on at 8pm, Wednesday 8 March, at 16 High St, Frankston. All welcome. Call Judy, 0400 910 941.
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A COMBINED public order and public safety operation deploying experienced police from Frankston and constables-in-training from the Police Academy hit central Frankston streets on Thursday last week. Twenty-two fully sworn constables and five sergeants from the academy were supervised and mentored by 15 experienced Frankston police officers, including a senior sergeant and two sergeants. The operation targeted public order and public safety offences involving drugs, weapons and alcohol. “This operation was an excellent opportunity to assist in the development of new members of the force and to have extra resources to display a higher than usual police presence in the Frankston CBD,” Frankston Station Commander Michael Lamb said. “Frankston police station is highly regarded in Victoria Police as a designated training workplace due to the professionalism and good character of the officers who work here. “My staff is keen to assist in the training and development of their junior colleagues. The additional numbers over and above our usual high commitment to the CBD were an added bonus in helping keep Frankston safe.” The senior sergeant said Operation OPTIC would be “ongoing especially considering the current recruitment drive over the next four years”. Stephen Taylor
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Frankston Times
27 February 2017
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