HKU Partners with Correctional Services to Screen Inmates for Hepatitis C
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The University of Hong Kong's School of Clinical Medicine has collaborated with the Correctional Services Department to implement a pilot hepatitis C screening and treatment program for prison inmates, marking a significant step toward the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. The initiative, conducted at Stanley Prison, enrolled over 500 inmates and discovered a hepatitis C prevalence rate of 4.1%—substantially higher than the 0.3% rate found in the general Hong Kong population. Professor Yuen Mong-chung, Head of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, emphasized that chronic hepatitis C can lead to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer if left untreated, yet previous studies showed only 36% of patients were diagnosed, with just 20% receiving curative treatment. The program provided health education, counseling, rapid hepatitis C testing, and direct-acting antiviral medication to those diagnosed, achieving a 100% cure rate among treated patients. Researchers utilized decision tree and Markov models to analyze cost-effectiveness, finding that both one-time and regular screening approaches yield health benefits, with regular screening reducing the risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer, and death by over 30%.
Key Points
- Hong Kong has approximately 22,000 hepatitis C patients, with only 36% diagnosed and 20% receiving curative treatment
- The Stanley Prison pilot program screened over 500 inmates, finding a 4.1% hepatitis C prevalence rate
- High-risk groups include injection drug users, HIV patients, men who have sex with men, and individuals with tattoo or piercing history
- Remote video consultations proved an economical and efficient alternative to in-person medical appointments
- The Correctional Services Department handled all procedures without requiring inmates to be transported to external hospitals
Why It Matters
This screening program addresses a critical gap in Hong Kong's hepatitis C care pathway, as prison inmates represent a high-prevalence population that often falls outside standard healthcare systems. The research demonstrates that targeted screening of high-risk groups is not only medically beneficial but also cost-effective, offering a viable model for achieving the WHO's 2030 elimination target while reducing long-term healthcare costs associated with treating advanced liver disease .
This screening program addresses a critical gap in Hong Kong's hepatitis C care pathway, as prison inmates represent a high-prevalence population that often falls outside standard healthcare systems. The research demonstrates that targeted screening of high-risk groups is not only medically beneficial but also cost-effective, offering a viable model for achieving the WHO's 2030 elimination target while reducing long-term healthcare costs associated with treating advanced liver disease .