For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
See also: In The Military
Veterans Affairs has
largest hepatitis C screeningQuestion: I have been told that the hepatitis C rate in the military is high. Having recently left the service, I am concerned and was wondering what the Department of Veterans Affairs is doing about this disease.
Answer: The VA has established the largest screening and testing program for hepatitis C infection in the world.
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver, causing tissue damage and, in some cases, permanent liver problems. It is a leading reason for liver transplantation.
VA has set a policy of system-wide risk factor to screen all veterans enrolled in the VA system.
VA's coordinated services range from counseling for risk factor identification and disease prevention, to providing medication and health care, including liver transplantation. Additionally, VA provides support services such as substance abuse and mental health care.
Keep in mind that the symptoms of hepatitis C infection are usually very mild, and, in fact, you might not have any symptoms at all.
Any veteran who wants a test for hepatitis C can get one simply by making an appointment with your VA health-care provider.
Q: I recently visited the VA for a doctor's appointment and someone who was not a doctor saw me. Do people other than doctors treat patients?
A: Other qualified health-care providers such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners and clinical pharmacists also treat patients. These health-care professionals have received additional medical training and are fully licensed.
These practitioners work closely with your doctor to coordinate your care.
The Honolulu VA Medical and Regional Office Center has an affiliation with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.
As part of that affiliation, medical students and doctors complete primary care and specialty training work in our VA Ambulatory Care Clinic. Other staff physicians closely supervise these doctors in training.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.
