Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has welcomed the publication of a Department of Health plan to eliminate Hepatitis C.

The South Belfast MLA stated: “I welcome that the plan is to eliminate Hepatitis C from Northern Ireland by 2025, five years ahead of the WHO’s proposed date for global elimination.

“The virus Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver disease and liver cancer. It is estimated close to one per cent of the global population live with it.

“The issue, as we know with the current coronavirus, is detection. While treatment for hepatitis C is possible, it is often undetected before it causes illness, and sometimes not even then.

“Elimination will mean an awareness-raising programme and a degree of regular monitoring, as well as improved data. Nevertheless, it is good to have a challenging deadline to meet.”