To mark HIV Testing Week, Dr Rachael Thomas, Staff Specialist, South Western Sydney LHD, joined Clare Berrie, Senior Social Worker and Coordinator of the Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) Clinical Concierge Program, in a new interview highlighting the importance of culturally safe HIV testing and care. 

Late HIV diagnosis is still a real concern in NSW, particularly in Greater Western Sydney where we are seeing a third of new cases. 

Dr. Thomas emphasises: “HIV is a manageable condition with safe and effective anti-retroviral medication. The earlier you are tested for the condition, the sooner you know your HIV status, which improves your long-term health outcomes by starting medication as soon as possible if you test positive.   

However, stigma and access are still the key barriers to testing and care, particularly for people born overseas. Many worry that testing or treatment might be expensive or not available to them. However, HIV testing is free for everyone, no matter your Medicare of visa status. There are lots of testing options, you can: 

• Order a HIV self-test via HIVtest.au or Dried Blood Spot test  

• Use a MyTest Vending Machine 

• Visit a sexual health clinic.  

Treatment is also free, and data shows starting treatment early makes a big difference. Dr Thomas adds, “We now know from the research and the data that actually starting people on antiretroviral therapy as soon as they're diagnosed leads to better outcomes long term”. 

If someone tests positive, it’s important they feel supported and understood, and have access to culturally appropriate care. The NSW Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service offers a free and confidential Clinical Concierge Program that connects people recently diagnosed with HIV from a CALD background with bilingual Cultural Support Workers. These trained staff help clients navigate the health system, improve treatment literacy, and access culturally appropriate care and support services. 

Clients can easily be referred to the HIV Clinical Concierge Program using the e-referral form or contact the Program Coordinator on 0436 850 905 to discuss if the program is right for your client. For more information about the program, view the Service Provider flyer. 

Listen to the full interview here: https://vimeo.com/1090310579/be63fb530a?ts=0&share=copy 

 

Hepatitis Awareness Week runs from 22-28 July, with World Hepatitis Day on 28 July. This year’s theme, ‘It’s time for action,’ focuses on liver health. Your liver performs over 500 vital functions, but hepatitis B and C can damage it, especially if undiagnosed and untreated.

In Australia, over 200,000 people live with chronic hepatitis B, many unaware they have the virus. Hepatitis B is preventable with a vaccine and manageable with regular checkups. The only way to know if you have hepatitis B is by getting tested.

‘Early diagnosis is essential. Many may not realise they have chronic hepatitis B until it's too late. Prompt testing and treatment are our best defences,’ says Kristen McKee, Hepatology Clinical Nurse Consultant at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Multilingual resources for you and your community

The Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS) campaign, ‘Are You Living with Hepatitis B? Find Out. Get Tested,’ targets communities with lower testing rates, including Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Samoan, Tongan, Vietnamese, and sub-Saharan African communities. The campaign offers free multilingual brochures, posters, and videos on the MHAHS website and in print.

‘Our goal is to enable communities to make informed health decisions. We encourage everyone to talk to their healthcare provider about hepatitis B testing,’ says Barbara Luisi, Director of MHAHS. Testing is free for Medicare cardholders. For those without a Medicare Card, contact NSW Health Sexual Health Clinics for free testing. All conversations with your doctor are confidential.

Act now. Get tested! Spread the word about hepatitis testing and treatment. Download the MHAHS multilingual Hepatitis Awareness Week 2024 toolkit with resources, messages, and social media tools to share.

For more information about the campaign, visit here. For general inquiries, call the Hepatitis NSW Infoline on 1800 803 990.

On December 1, as the world observes World AIDS Day, we shine a light on the crucial role communities play in ending HIV transmission. This year's global theme, "Let Communities Lead," underscores the strength of community work in the global fight against HIV.

"The 2023 Australian campaign theme, 'Inclusion, Respect, Equity,' highlights the pressing need to make HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services more inclusive," says Barbara Luisi, Manager of the Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service (MHAHS). Our goal is to tackle HIV stigma and ensure that these services are accessible to all, including individuals from diverse backgrounds.

"HIV remains a public health concern in Australia, with over 29,000 people living with HIV," warns Barbara Luisi. "These communities are more likely to miss timely HIV services, but it's essential to know that HIV treatment is available for free, even if you don't have a Medicare card."

To support this campaign, MHAHS is promoting its award-winning resource, "HIV: What you need to know," available in eight languages. The e-booklet can be downloaded from the MHAHS website, and free hard copies are available to order. Supporters can also download a toolkit on the range of multilingual resources available and how to support the campaign.

For media interviews, please contact Sonam Paljor at 9515 1234 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.