Fresno's VA hospital provides Hepatitis C testing for homeless veterans

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The program is run by the Hepatitis C clinic and the hospital's homeless program. Over the past three months, volunteers have been going to homeless camps in town and doing on-the-spot testing.

In some situations veterans who are willing are taken to the hospital to have the testing done there.

"Being able to get them back to the hospital, getting them a shower, besides just treatment for Hep C. There's more to it than just giving them treatment, there's compassion in the car that you give," said Jennifer Siilata, VA Hospital Pharmacist

Siilata spearheaded the creation of this program. She says veterans are at a higher risk of being infected with Hepatitis C.

Since the program began, 20 veterans have been tested out on the streets.