Malama Pono, Kauai AIDS project, executive director D.Q. Jackson has announced that Dr. Jimmy Yoon, infectious diseases specialist, has accepted appointment as medical director of the organization. Although Malama Pono’s mission has always been to stop the spread of AIDS
Malama Pono, Kauai AIDS project, executive director D.Q. Jackson has announced that Dr. Jimmy Yoon, infectious diseases specialist, has accepted appointment as medical director of the organization. Although Malama Pono’s mission has always been to stop the spread of AIDS on Kauai through education, the scope of its activities has now branched out to include Hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases.
“Dr. Yoon has served on Malama Pono’s board of directors since late in 2006 and is an active fund-raiser,” said Jackson, in a press release. “As medical director he brings tremendous value as an education resource for our staff, board of directors and, most especially, our community. His expert knowledge on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C will be put to use as Malama Pono expands its prevention services into the growing Hepatitis C problem on Kaua‘i.”
“We have about 100 identified cases of Hepatitis C on our island,” says Yoon, in the release. “But there may be as many as 600 to 1,000 people infected and not yet diagnosed. They’re walking around asymptomatic and don’t find out until some event occurs and their status becomes evident. I recommend screening for people at risk such as those who use illicit drugs, even only once, or those who practice unsafe sex or for people who had transfusions prior to 1992.
“I’m pleased to assist Malama Pono because I’ve made a long term commitment to Kaua‘i. In fact, we now have a Hepatitis C treatment clinic on island so patients no longer need to travel to O‘ahu for treatment. It’s my hope that we can cure a significant number of cases. I’m concerned about the stigma attached to Hepatitis C. It’s a barrier standing in the way of eliminating this disease. It’s a blood borne disease like several others. We need to talk more about it and educate our community.”
Malama Pono provides free, anonymous, confidential and easy screening for Hepatitis C. For more information about Malama Pono’s mission contact D.Q. Jackson at 246-9577.
