The AIDS2022 conference is taking place in Montreal, with experts in the field of HIV/AIDS sharing knowledge and experience related to the virus.

Advocation for people who use drugs was present during the conference, with the stigma and judgement faced by people who inject drugs being addressed as barriers to seeking care; it was reinforced that everyone should be able to access affordable, quality care irrespective of their drug use status. Virginia Macdonald of the World Health Organisation strongly recommended the implementation of needle & syringe exchange programs and overdose prevention care.

As well as this, activists demanded stronger action to be taken from the world health organization against Monkeypox, through urgent scaled up and equitable vaccine access. The activists emphasized lifting intellectual property barriers, and the need for a plan for prevention, treatment and care.

Click here for more information on the conference.