"The Rotary Melbourne Team are working with Hepatitis Victoria to create a practical project we are promoting to our Victorian Rotary Clubs in the mission to end Hepatitis in our community.
The purpose of the partnership between Hepatitis Victoria and the Rotary Club of Melbourne is to increase community awareness of the opportunity for treatment and to reduce the stigma which is often associated with Hepatitis. The presentations have been well received by many Rotary Clubs already.
Some history of Viral Hepatitis:
Hepatitis Victoria is the peak not-for-profit community organisation working across the state to address hepatitis and its effects. Hepatitis Victoria and Rotary Melbourne have joined the national effort to achieve the World Health Organisation’s goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.
Nowadays cures are available for both Hepatitis B and C, making this global goal achievable if community awareness can be raised. This is the aim of our collaboration in Victoria and call to action for our Victorian Rotary Clubs. As a part of the partnership, Hepatitis Victoria educators and lived-experience public speakers are available to present to Rotary Clubs to raise awareness, address the problem of stigma and discrimination in the Community and encourage people to seek testing and treatment.
We can arrange for a speaker to present to a Rotary Club meeting at a time to suit their meeting schedule. Viral hepatitis is a preventable disease and Rotary Melbourne and Hepatitis Victoria are keen to have Members support as we address this challenge of reducing the burden of liver disease.”
IPP Robert Fisher attended a Rotary Albert Park meeting where presenters from Hepatitis Victoria provided valuable insight into the prevention of Hepatitis. Speakers Program Leader Liz De Nittis, CEO Hepatitis Victoria Melanie Eagle, President John Williams, Moira ('lived experience' Hep Vic speaker). Let's get more Rotary Clubs on board and help to spread the word!
