HCSA Community Services and Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) today  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise support for Phase 2 of the Educate, Test,  Treat! (ETT) initiative, which has been supported by biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences since  its launch in 2022. The initiative encourages former drug offenders and those in recovery from  addiction to take up Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment and work towards eliminating HCV  in Singapore by 2030. The exchange of the MoU was witnessed by Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of  State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Digital Development and Information. 

To date, over 270 individuals have received HCV testing through the ETT initiative from participating  halfway houses — HCSA Highpoint, Pertapis Halfway House, Selarang Halfway House, The Helping  Hand and Teen Challenge Singapore. Of those who tested HCV-positive, 41% were successfully linked to care and 43% of diagnosed patients have received treatment. This was complemented by the ETT befriender initiative, an integrated support system for HCV-positive patientsthat ensuresthey receive  guidance throughout their treatment journey, which also encourages adherence and completion of  treatment. 

The support from Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) thus far has enabled HCV-positive cases under the  ETT initiative to receive treatment. Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) is further pledging SGD83,000 this  year to support HCV treatment for diagnosed individuals of the ETT initiative. Former drug offenders  are deemed at high risk of contracting HCV because the virus is transmitted primarily through blood  and bodily fluids, which can happen through sharing contaminated needles. A 12-week course of oral  medication can be effective in treating HCV in patients. HCV infections are typically asymptomatic  until decades later when symptoms develop. Left untreated, chronic HCV can cause serious health  problems, including liver damage, liver failure, and liver cancer.  

“Collaborations with partners have been instrumental in the success of the ETT initiative. This initiative  offers former drug abusers a second chance at a healthy life free of HCV as they reintegrate back into  society. With Phase I, we focused on establishing a linkage to care network with Tan Tock Seng  Hospital and halfway houses. As we expand on these successes, we now look towards how we can  further support access to affordable treatment for diagnosed patients, and ways to improve on the  journey for better health and medical management,” said Mrs Kim Lang Khalil, Chief Executive Officer,  HCSA Community Services.  

“We have been championing befriending and financial assistance programmes for socially stigmatised  groups such as ex-offenders since 1998,” said Mr Khoo Jyh Hao, Head of Charity Development  Department, Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore). “Our experience supports our belief that any  marginalised individual can lead a fulfilling life and contribute to their family and society if given  adequate opportunities and guidance.” 

“Gilead Sciences is proud to work with community partners to help address the needs of the most  vulnerable and disproportionally impacted communities. Hepatitis C is a disease that is treatable – through collaboration, we can screen, diagnose and cure it. Public-private partnerships like these show  that incredible progress can be achieved towards eliminating HCV as a public health threat in Singapore,” said Stanley Li, General Manager, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, Gilead Sciences.