Malaysia Society for Harm Reduction

Malaysia Society for Harm Reduction (MSHR) was established in 2019 to advocate and champion the concept of Harm Reduction. They embrace Harm Reduction as a practical and effective strategy to minimise the adverse consequences of various human behaviours, be they legal or illegal. MSHR believes in spreading positivity for greater well-being without judgment, coercion, discrimination, or prejudice.

While they haven’t implemented hepatitis-specific programs under its organisational banner yet, many of their core committee members are actively involved in the screening, treatment, and long-term care of Hepatitis C patients through their professional roles in public hospitals, methadone clinics, and rehabilitation centres.
Their experts include medical doctors and addiction psychiatrists who work directly with high-risk populations—particularly people who use drugs (PWUD) and individuals living with HIV—who are also disproportionately affected by Hepatitis C. Their clinical experience and commitment form a strong foundation for future hepatitis-focused efforts under MSHR.

Key highlights of MSHR team’s ongoing involvement include:
Routine screening for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis in methadone clinics, with referral of positive cases to gastroenterology and infectious disease specialists for antiviral treatment.
Management of patients with dual and triple diagnoses (e.g., HIV, Hepatitis C, and substance use disorders) in collaboration with Infectious Disease teams.
At PPUM (University of Malaya Medical Centre) in particular, their committee member oversees care for over 200 patients, with an estimated 10% testing positive for Hepatitis C. At the Cure & Care Service Centre in San Peng, a rehabilitation facility under the National Anti-Drugs Agency (AADK), another 100 patients are managed, with approximately 20% co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C. Most have been referred and successfully completed 3-month antiviral treatment regimens.
In Kelantan, the Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) program has historically seen HIV and Hepatitis C co-infection rates exceeding 90%, largely among people who inject morphine. Our committee members have experience treating this population and can draw from these insights for future community-based projects.
The success of harm reduction interventions in Malaysia—such as Needle and Syringe Exchange Programs (NSEP) and MMT—has significantly reduced HIV transmission among injecting drug users and, by extension, may have helped reduce new Hepatitis C infections. Nevertheless, a strong need remains for targeted hepatitis elimination efforts among marginalized groups.

By joining WHA, MSHR seeks to expand our commitment into more structured hepatitis-related advocacy, education, and outreach. With support from WHA and collaboration with their global network, MSHR aims to scale up screening, awareness, and linkage-to-care programs, especially in underserved areas such as Omadal Island, where they are currently implementing a community health initiative.