The Mission for Evangelisation to Marginalised Groups (MGM) is a non-profit development association and non-governmental, apolitical organisation governed by Congolese law. It is dedicated to combating the marginalisation of certain individuals within society. The Mission for Evangelisation to Marginalised Groups Association (MGM asbl) was founded on 24 January 2004 in Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa. The organisation was established in response to the mistreatment experienced by young mothers, domestic workers, and girls living with HIV, as well as the sexual violence perpetrated against women, the marginalised circumstances of survivors, and the suffering of children accused of witchcraft and abandoned by their communities.
The founding group felt compelled to support those who were marginalised. Since 2004, MGM has provided functional literacy programmes for girls and women, alongside vocational training in fields such as hospitality, tailoring, and computing. The organisation also pays school fees for children affected by or living with HIV/AIDS and enrols affected or infected families in health insurance schemes to ensure they receive appropriate care. Since 2007, MGM has been actively engaged in raising awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Professionally, MGM has contributed to the creation of major organisations and platforms, including LUNACOP/GCAP in the DRC (National Fight Against Poverty) and COCEDA (Congolese Coalition for Adult Education), which has represented the International Council on Adult Education (ICAE) since 2006. Since 2011, MGM has made the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) its primary focus, in partnership with the Positive Action for Children Fund (PACF). This work includes preventing parent-to-child transmission of HIV and addressing root causes of women’s vulnerability, including poverty that can lead to exploitation through transactional sex.
MGM is currently working on Hepatitis B and C through a programme launched in South Kivu province, which is expected to expand across the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Their hepatitis related activities include:
Hepatitis and PWID/harm reduction
11:35 – 11:40
Chair: WHO – Intro and set the scene.
11:40 – 11:55
Co-chair: EMCDDA – Monitoring viral hepatitis elimination among PWID in Europe.
11:55 – 12:00
ID 29: Ema Pos (not yet registered)
Title: If the mountain won’t come to Mohammed: lessons from a decentralized Infectious Disease consultation.
12:05 – 12:10
ID 152: Brian Conway (Registered in person)
Title: Community Pop-up Clinic: Cascade of Care and HCV Treatment of Vancouver’s inner-city PWID Populations.
12:10 – 12:15
ID 212: Jasmine West (not yet registered)
Title: From lived experience to lived expertise: a syndemic approach.
12:15 – 12:20
ID: 299 Mercy Nyakowa (Registered in person)
Title: HCV and HBV prevalence and associated risk factors among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Kenya
12:20 – 12:25
ID: 133 Nalinikanta Rajkumar (Registered in person)
Title: Rapid regimen of HBV vaccination: Does it work for high risk groups?
12:25 – 12:30
Q&A and closing remarks
tHIS
IS
BEN’S
BIG
TEST
effective case finding strategies
Supported by Vir Biotechnology, Inc
During this session you will hear from hepatitis Delta expert, Dr. Maria Buti, and a patient who has lived with hepatitis Delta in a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Carey Hwang, Chief Medical Officer (interim) of Vir Biotechnology. This panel will inform perspectives on patient needs, opportunities for enhanced screening, and strengthening linkages to care.
Session Agenda
14:40 – 14:45
Panel overview and introductions facilitated by Dr Carey Hwang (Vir Biotechnology)
14:45 – 15:05
Panel discussion: Dr Maria Buti (University Hospital Vall d’Hebron, Spain), Milanka Barbosa, Dr Carey Hwang (Chief Medical Officer interim), Vir Biotechnology
15:05 – 15:10
Final remarks and close