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Hank Gotard |
VA Launches Broad Attack on Hepatitis C |
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VA recently announced major initiatives to respond to the dramatic rise of incidence of
infections from the hepatitis C (HCV) virus. Two new "Hepatitis C Centers"
co-located with the VA Medical Centers at Miami and San Francisco have been stood up to
coordinate treatment and research efforts, as well as to develop educational syllabuses
for patients, their families, health care providers and counselors. According to Dr. K.W.
Kizer, VA Under Secretary for Health, "Hepatitis C is of particular concern for VA
because of its greater or prevalence in VA's service population. VA's goal is that every
patient who needs and wants treatment will receive it." The HCV infection is the most common chronic blood borne infections in the United States with an estimated 3.9 million Americans have been infected with it. Infected persons are at risk for chronic liver diseases or other HCV-related chronic diseases during the first two or more decades following initial infection and are a source of transmission to others. Major risk factors for HCV infections include receipts of blood or blood products before 1992, intravenous drug use, occupational exposure to contaminated blood or fluids, organ transplants, tattooing, body piercing, and high-risk sexual practices. VA is increasing its attention to the public health threat consistent with American medicine's gains in diagnosis, treatment and case management since the virus was first characterized by the name hepatitis C in 1989. Testing for blood supplies began in 1992, and the Food and Drug Administration in June 1998 approved treatment. In 1991, the VA began tracking the number of veterans seen at VA Medical Centers who were positive for anti body to HCV and discovered 6,600 of them. In 1994, there were, 18,800, and in 1996, 21,400. Additional information about HCV and testing for it are available at the nearest VA Medical Center. Call County Veterans Services 252-728-8440, if you desire assistance in seeking information and/or care. Vet Centers. A great resource that is available to combat veterans, to assist them in dealing with the often lingering readjustment problems associated with military service during hostilities, is the VA's Vet Center Program. The goal of this program is to provide a wide range of services to combat veterans of all wars, conflicts, and police actions, in order to help them adjust to civilian life. Vet Center services include individual readjustment counseling, delayed stress counseling, referral for benefits assistance, group readjustment counseling, liaison with community agencies, marital and family counseling, job counseling and placement, substance abuse information and referral, sexual trauma counseling, and community education. The closest Vet Center is in Greenville. For information, call Dr. Harold McMillion at (252) 355-7920 or call the Veterans Services Office at (252) 728-8440.A note, for over 33 months Dr. McMillion has come into Carteret County on a weekly basis to conduct a Vietnam Veterans PTSD Therapy Group. The group meets in a private setting and is led by the doctor, a U.S. Army Infantry Vietnam Veteran who has over 26 years of experience in individual, group, and family counseling. For those interested in the Vet Center or the locally conducted RVN PTSD Therapy Group, there is a small window of opportunity to meet with the doctor on his weekly visits into the county. If you are a World War II or a Korean War Veteran and are interested in forming and participating in a WWII/Korean War Veterans PTSD Therapy Group, contact Dr. McMillion or Veterans Services. If enough interest is shown a second group will be organized to serve this specific group of veterans. For The New VA Health Care Enrollees. If you would like information or assistance in getting established in the VA Health Care System for treatment and/or medications, a good resource to assist you is the Carteret County Veterans Services Office which is located at 613 Cedar Street in Beaufort. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., telephone 252-728-8440; e-mail address: ccvso@coastalnet.com. A note, for those veterans needing medications, the VA Medical Center at Fayetteville has been filling prescriptions written by one's local physician and has been giving a total of six months worth of medication. Gulf War Review. The "Gulf War Review" is written by the VA's Environmental Agents Service (EAS) and provides relevant information about the concerns of Gulf War veterans, their families and others interested in possible long term consequences of military service in the Gulf War. The "Review" describes current/ongoing actions by the VA and other governmental agencies in response to the issues. If you would like a copy of the most current "Review" (March 1999) contact Veterans Services at (252) 728-8440 of contact the Gulf War Veterans Helpline 1-800-PGW-VETS (1-800-749-8387). Mobile Health Clinic. The VA Fayetteville Medical Center Mobile Health Clinic will see patients in Carteret County at the Post Home of VFW Post 2401 on Highway 101 Beaufort on June 22-23, 1999. Patients will be seen by appointment, with appointments scheduled by the VA Medical Center at Fayetteville and at Durham. If this scheduling policy changes, the Veterans Services Office will get the word out. VETERANS DAY PARADE. Planning for the Carteret County Veterans Day Parade has already begun. The event will be held on Saturday, November 6, 1999 in Morehead City. If you are interested in participating or would like to volunteer to assist in the events planning and organizing, please contact Tex Cavett, chairman of the Carteret County Veterans Council, at (252) 728-2411 or at (252) 728-3878. |
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