The Union for Equity and Health is a Moldovan non-governmental organisation committed to promoting human rights in the fields of health and public security and dedicated to reducing the burden of communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis, through innovative and evidence-based health and harm reduction interventions.
Established in 2007, the Union operates primarily in northern Moldova, with its headquarters in Bălți. It delivers sustainable, innovative, and high-quality interventions addressing the needs of vulnerable key populations, particularly people who use drugs (PWUD), sex workers (SW), men having sex with men (MSM) and people living with HIV (PLHIV) and other affected populations, as displacement populations / refugees.
Mission and Vision
The Union envisions a society that ensures equitable access to health services and respects human rights. Its mission is to enhance public health outcomes by implementing sustainable harm reduction strategies and addressing the social and medical challenges associated with communicable diseases.
Strategic Focus
The Union is committed to reducing the transmission of HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases by:
1. Advocating: Supporting policies that expand access to health services for most at risk populations (PWUD, SW, MSM and PLHIV) and ensuring the sustainability of harm reduction (HR) programs through domestic and international funding.
2. Harm reduction and integrated Support: Combining & providing targeted interventions such as – needle and syringe programs, opioid substitution therapy (OST), and medical, psychosocial, and legal support, and health promotion, to address the complex needs of the key populations, including refugees.
3. Human Rights: Advocating for equal and equitable access to medical, social, legal services, as well as promoting gender equity, social justice, and humane drug policies.
4. Capacity Building: Strengthening organizational and staff capabilities, accreditation, and visibility.
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