New Ontario hepatitis C elimination initiative

We’re charting the path to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat by 2030 in Ontario! A new multi-stakeholder collaboration is being mobilized to implement hepatitis C elimination activities from the Ontario Hepatitis C Elimination Roadmap. This coordinated, provincial response is spearheaded by CATIE and Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN)/UHN through funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health, and collaboration with a coalition of partners from multiple sectors.

Through education, training and development of care pathways, we will increase the capacity of service providers and organizations to respond to hepatitis C. We will also be working with key public health and research organizations to mobilize hepatitis C data and monitor our progress, as well as with provincial partners on policy and systems-level advancements to expand and optimize hepatitis C care. To ensure this care meets the needs of those most impacted by hepatitis C, we will be implementing population and community-specific strategies, including increasing awareness of hepatitis C.

This work is being co-led by CATIE and VIRCAN/UHN, two organizations who bring expertise, credibility and resources to this work, and will work together to achieve common goals. Our partnership builds upon the recent launch of the Ontario Hepatitis C Elimination Roadmap, a comprehensive plan, developed by key stakeholders across the province, that charts an ambitious path forward with recommendations that span policy, partnerships and new ways of working. CATIE has been leading hepatitis C knowledge exchange work in Ontario for a number of years, which builds upon a long foundation of having a provincial hepatitis C mandate. We bring our strengths in knowledge exchange and capacity-building, health equity, as well as connecting policy, community, research and clinical stakeholders. 

VIRCAN/UHN is a provincial leader in implementing new tools for testing and linkage to care, as well as training and mentoring providers in Ontario in the treatment of hepatitis C. In addition to clinical expertise, they also have made significant contributions to research and knowledge translation to better understand the hepatitis C landscape in Ontario, as well as understanding models of care that will serve patients. 

With dedicated and coordinated provincial efforts, the goal of eliminating hepatitis C by 2030 is within reach. Through this joint partnership we are striving to accelerate progress and bring Ontario closer to this historic public health achievement.