The Lighthouse Concept

This new publication discusses the need for scaling-up harm reduction services, and more information on our new BOOST project.

In 2023, C-EHRN will start to implement the European Union (EU) co-financed BOOST project, aiming to strengthen and support community-based and community-led harm organisations in providing high-quality communicable disease services to people who use drugs. These include the scaling-up of good practices in communicable disease awareness, prevention, screening/testing and linkage to care, delivered as an integrated part of people-centred harm reduction interventions. The project consortium includes, among others, the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA) and the European Network of People Who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD).

The publication also contains information from the presentation by Roberto Perez Gayo (C-EHRN Policy Officer) on the BOOST project at INHSU 2022.

As well as this, Free Clinic in Belgium, Podane ruce in Czechia, Villa Maraini in Italy, and the A-Clinic Foundation in Finland are discussed as examples in harm reduction for an integrated HIV/HCV approach.

Press Release by Coalition PLus and EuroTest Initiative | #COVID19 Diaries: The sharp, critical decline in testing

The Press Release from Coalition Plus and the EuroTEST initiative titled “HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs: Let’s make up for lost time against the epidemics!” was shared on the last day of the European Testing Week 28th November 2021.

The press release points out the sharp and critical decline in testing for HIV, hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among the most vulnerable populations, led by the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistics are alarming and worrying. 

According to a study conducted in 44 countries, there was a 35% drop in HIV screenings between 2019 and 2020 among key populations. The number is even higher among sex workers, who were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 59%.

Ben Collins, the chair of European Testing Week, says that with all the great effective treatments at hand, there is every good reason for anyone at risk for HIV, viral hepatitis, or STIs to get tested this week or any week of the year.

“If we are to reach the global goals set for 2030, it is paramount to remove legal and regulatory obstacles to the provision of services at the community level, which is a crucial step in effectively reaching the unreachable.” concludes the Press Release.

The International and European Testing Week initiative focuses on increasing access to testing and raising awareness about the importance of early testing. The next testing week will be in the spring of 2022. Follow the updates and be on time in supporting their efforts.