STC staff enhance their awareness of hepatitis C |01 August 2015

Staff members of the Seychelles Trading Company (STC) commemorated the World Hepatitis Day on July 28 with a presentation on the situation of HIV/Aids and hepatitis C in the country.

The activity, held at the STC conference room, was conducted by the HIV/Aids Support Organisation (Haso).

As the Minister for Health, Mitcy Larue, said, “the country faces new challenges. Despite the entire ministry’s effort to prevent hepatitis, a cumulative of 529 cases of hepatitis C has been reported from 2002 to June 2015. A total of 43 new cases of hepatitis C have been reported from January to June 2015. (DSRU, Ministry of Health).”

It is in this line that STC organised this event for some of its staff.

“STC always contributes towards community projects. During the year, Haso approached us for some projects and the management decided to contribute towards the organisation’s newsletter Kontak.  We have 600 staff and unfortunately we cannot have a programme for all of them at the same time due to end of the month pressure. We invited two staff from each section and we hope the message will be shared to all other staff,” said Stephanie Felix, the public relations manager.

The chairperson of Haso, Justin Freminot, talked about his non-governmental organisation and explained thoroughly the subject of HIV/Aids and hepatitis C.

“If you have ever had medical or dental treatment with unsterilised instruments or you have received a blood transfusion in a country that does not test for hepatitis or you have ever injected drugs or have been living with HIV, then you need to get tested,” said Mr Freminot.

He also talked about how to protect oneself from being infected.

“Talk to your healthcare provider about the hepatitis B vaccine; never share needles, razors or toothbrushes; if you are pregnant, talk to your doctor about how to prevent transmission to your baby; use only sterilised tattoo and piercing instruments; use condoms correctly and consistently and where possible choose oral medications instead of injections.”

Ms Felix also said every year STC works on an annual calendar where it commemorates some special events.