AN Andover man who has been infected with hepatitis C for the last 35 years has reservedly heralded a new dawn in treatment for sufferers of the illness.

Andy Jacobs, 47, was infected with the virus, which affects the liver’s ability to function, at the age of 13 when he was treated for haemophilia with infected blood by the NHS.

But he has now finally been told that he will receive life-saving treatment from the NHS.

In what will be the NHS’ single largest investment in new treatments this year, it has announced it will be investing a further £190m in new cures for hepatitis C, on top of the approximately £40m extra which began last year.

Thousands of patients in England with cirrhosis caused by the hepatitis C virus, including Mr Jacobs, will now be able to access new treatment options which can cure the virus and therefore prevent further damage to the liver, including the potential of end stage liver disease or cancer.

Dad-of-three Mr Jacobs told the Advertiser: “Considering they infected me in the first place I think they are morally obliged to treat me.

“For 80 percent of those that were infected by this they won’t get the treatment because they don’t have the liver problems that ensure treatment.  I’m lucky that I can work, but others aren’t so lucky and won’t be getting help.

“There’s a much bigger picture to the whole situation than this treatment being made. It’s been three decades and there are 2,500 dead.This is a real human tragedy bought about by a system that was trying to save a few quid.”

Richard Jeavons, NHS England’s director of specialised services, said: “At a time when funding is inevitably constrained across the NHS this is a huge new investment.”

Peter Moss, a consultant and chair of NHS England’s Infectious Diseases Clinical Reference Group, said: “The new anti-viral drugs being made available offer a huge improvement in care for patients with hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis.Now we are in a position to cure the large majority of patients and so to prevent further liver damage and premature death.”

Charles Gore, chief executive of the Hepatitis C Trust, said: “Patients with cirrhosis will be delighted to have access to these drugs. This is a big step forward towards reversing the rising deathtoll.

People living with hepatitis C have been waiting for this revolution in therapy with huge expectation.”