Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects an estimated 58 million people globally and remains a leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States, particularly among people who use drugs (PWUD). Despite the availability of effective treatments, late or incomplete diagnosis continues to hinder care- largely due to the lack of affordable, accessible, and rapid molecular diagnostic tests. Current near-point-of-care systems for HCV RNA detection are costly and require supporting infrastructure, limiting their feasibility in community-based settings such as harm reduction organizations. This proposal, grounded in a human-centered design (HCD) framework, aims to develop a sensitive, specific, and true point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platform for HCV RNA detection. The system will integrate reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) with a lateral flow test (LFT) for visual result readout. Technical and usability requirements will be co-developed with community health workers, HCV testers, and PWUD to ensure real-world adaptability and uptake. Preliminary data demonstrate successful primer design with high specificity and robust amplification in plasma, as well as proof-of-concept feasibility of LFT-based result interpretation. This project is expected to produce a field-forward diagnostic tool capable of expanding early HCV detection and treatment access in underserved communities.