N.S. Supports National Hepatitis C Assistance Plan

Nova Scotia supports a national assistance plan for people who contracted hepatitis C through the failure of the blood system, Health Minister Jim Smith said today.

Dr. Smith will be participating in meetings of Canadian health ministers next week when negotiations will be undertaken to work out a national program.

"I believe that people who contracted hepatitis C through a failure of Canada's blood supply should receive assistance," said Dr. Smith.

"It should be noted that the Krever report has suggested that the Red Cross --as the operator of the blood supply --and the federal government --as its regulator --should bear the lion's share of costs because of their greater level of responsibility. However, the provinces have a part to play as well, both in providing assistance and increased levels of health care for people who have been infected."

The ministers from the federal government, provinces and territories are meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Toronto.

"It is my sincere hope that a national assistance plan can be negotiated to help people who contracted hepatitis C as a result of the breakdown in blood safety measures that occurred during the 1980s," said the minister.

Nova Scotia has already taken action on hepatitis C through a comprehensive hospital records search to identify people who had blood transfusions before 1990 who might be at risk for contracting hepatitis C.

The province is one of only three in the country with such a province-wide traceback program. The cost of Nova Scotia's records search and notification program is about $1 million.