merrion street

"I'm delighted that the HSE has extended the national Hepatitis C treatment programme using the €30 million in Government funding provided for in the 2016 HSE National Service Plan. It builds on the significant progress made in 2015 under the programme. In particular, the HSE is confident that all State-infected people will have commenced treatment by the end of next year, following through on the Government decision of last year.

"The new direct-acting anti-viral drugs that the programme covers give over 90% of those treated the chance to be cured of this serious illness which can persist for decades before manifesting itself. Expanding the programme will enable more people to get that chance at a cure, improving their lives immeasurably, while also helping free up scarce resources in our hospitals."