OZ Odyseus

Odyseus, a civic association is a professional harm reduction organisation active in Slovakia since 1997. Odyseus provides services for people who inject drugs, sex workers, young people and people experiencing homelessness. With its activities, Odyseus contributes to social inclusion and the protection of public health. Regarding the viral hepatitis activities – they provide needle and syringe exchange programme and distribution of other health and harm reduction material, low threshold testing for HIV, syphilis, HCV and HBV and linkage to care to those with reactive result. In the period from 1.1.2024 to 31.12.2024, OZ Odyseus carried out 58 rapid tests for HCV. The result was: 16 negative tests and 42 reactive tests. With reactive clients, the workers discussed their options for completing the next process – confirmatory testing, connection to healthcare and future treatment. If they decided that they wanted to start this process, a visit to a specialist in a health facility was arranged. The workers accompanied the clients through the entire process.
Of the 42 clients who tested reactive for HCV, 18 were sent for treatment to a specialist. The remaining clients did not have either an ID card or an insurance card, which are required to make an appointment with a specialist, and 11 of them refused treatment or further process. When we talk about “referral” for treatment, it means that the client has been scheduled to see a specialist. “Linked to healthcare” means that the client has attended an appointment at the clinic and has had contact with medical staff. A total of 52 appointments were scheduled for 21 clients*, but only 38 of them were made (the client showed up). This means that of the 21 clients who were referred to a specialist, 12 were linked to healthcare. Of these 12 clients, 11 have received confirmatory test results, while 1 person is still waiting for their results. Of the 11 clients who have received test results, 3 have tested negative for HCV, while the remaining 8 have tested positive. Of these 8 clients, all have been approved for treatment by their health insurance company. (In Slovakia, HCV treatment must be approved for each patient by the health insurance company. This means that after a positive confirmatory PCR test in a health facility, the doctor must submit an application to the relevant health insurance company on behalf of the patient. The approval process by health insurance companies can take up to 30 days.) None of these clients refused treatment after approval. Three clients successfully completed treatment, while the other 5 are in the process of treatment. In addition, treatment was approved for two persons after reinfection, who also successfully completed treatment.