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Symposia 8 - Improving treatment uptake and adherence

Tracks
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Tuesday, August 18, 2026
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Gardenia

Details

This session will focus on:
  • Ways to improve access to ART
  • Reducing loss to follow up of patients
  • Improving ART Adherence
  • undetectable = untransmissible (U = U)


Speaker

Pacific HIV Symposium

Anchor Abstracts

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Dr. Tafireyi Marukutira
Senior Research Fellow
Burnet Institute

HIV Program Review – Past 10-years, South Fly District, Western Province

Abstract (.docx)

Dr Kennan Witari is the provincial Specialist Physician for Western Province in charge of internal medicine including the HIV and TB programs.
Dr Okyere Eunice
Assistant Professor In Public Health
Fiji National University

HIV Treatment Initiation and Adherence: Perspectives of People Living with HIV in Fiji.

Abstract (.docx)

Dr Eunice Okyere, Assistant Professor at Fiji National University, has diverse experience in research and teaching. She has been a principal or co-principal of various funded research including women’s health, maternal and child health, health systems, communicable and non-communicable diseases and HIV and has published extensively in these areas.
Ms Jessica Hill
Pacific Program Lead
Health Equity Matters

Advancing Human Rights and HIV Outcomes for Sex Workers in Papua New Guinea: A Peer-Led, Community-Based Approach

Abstract (.docx)

Cathy Ketepa is Chair of Key Populations Advocacy Consortium PNG Inc (KPAC PNG) and National Coordinator for Friends Frangipani. She champions the rights and wellbeing of sex workers, providing strategic leadership to strengthen community-led HIV and TB responses while ensuring community voices are represented in national health systems and decision-making.
Ms Jessica Hill
Pacific Program Lead
Health Equity Matters

Strengthening Community-Led HIV Response in Fiji: Peer Outreach as a Model for Trust, Linkage to Care, and Cross-Sector Partnerships

Abstract (.docx)

Atu Dokonivalu is the National Peer-Led Outreach Coordinator at Rainbow Pride Foundation in Fiji. He leads the rollout of the national peer-led outreach model, working with communities, civil society, and government to strengthen HIV prevention, improve referral pathways, and support coordinated, community-driven responses across all divisions.
Pacific HIV Symposium

Workshop: Treatment adherence and U=U 

A panel discussion with U=U advocates to talk about U=U meaning and what its like to live with HIV with an undetectable viral load.
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Dr Dashika Balak
Principal Medical Officer - Treatment, Care And Support Lead
Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Unit, Ministry Of Health And Medical Services

Workshop Facilitator

Dr Dashika Anshu Balak is a Principal Medical Officer in the Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Unit at Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services. She leads the Treatment, Care and Support Committee under the National HIV Outbreak and Cluster Response Taskforce, advancing integrated, evidence-based, people-centred HIV, BBV, STI and SRH services across Fiji.

Session Chair

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Michelle O’Connor
Director, ASHM Global
ASHM Health

Percy Pokeya
PNG Country Lead
ASHM

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