Program - Symposia 7 - HIV, people who use drugs and harm reduction

Symposia 7 - HIV, people who use drugs and harm reduction

Tracks

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Orchid

Details

Drug use and HIV are an increasing and complex challenge across much of the Asia and the Pacific, yet harm reduction, a WHO recommended and evidence based approach to both, remains relatively underdeveloped and under-resourced in many settings. This session brings together community-led experiences from Fiji, Cambodia, and Aotearoa New Zealand to explore what harm reduction looks like in practice across different contexts, including emerging drug markets, injecting drug use, and chemsex.

The presentations will highlight the important role peers and community health workers play in reaching people who use drugs, particularly those who may not engage with formal health services. They will explore what has worked, the challenges that remain, and the different service models being used across the region. The session will also include an interactive workshop to help participants better understand harm reduction principles, reflect on their application within HIV programs, and explore the role peer and community health workers can play in prevention, testing, treatment, and support.

Speaker

Ms Jessica Hill

Pacific Program Lead

Health Equity Matters

Responding to the Intersection of HIV and Drug Use in Fiji: Peer-Led Approaches to Harm Reduction and Early Support

Abstract (.docx)

Rusiate Naulunimagiti is the Peer Counselling Manager at FJN+ and is a community leader and HIV advocate in Fiji, contributing to peer-led outreach and prevention initiatives. She works to improve engagement with key populations, supporting access to testing, treatment, and care through community-driven approaches.

Mr. EANG Songheang

Communication

Khmer Hiv/aids Ngos Alliance (khana)

Integrating Peer Responders to strengthen harm reduction and mental health services among FEW, MSM, and TGW with a focus on Chemsex users in Cambodia

Abstract (.docx)

Dedicated public health and social development professional with nearly 10 years of experience in HIV/AIDS prevention, Gender and justice among key population to promote sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristic, harm reduction, experienced in Pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, mental health, and community-based programs in Cambodia.

Ms Vanessa Watson Love

Service Manager, Community Health

DISC Trust

Testing Without the Label: A Harm Reduction Model for Normalising HIV and Blood Borne Virus Screening

Abstract (.docx)

Kay is passionate about community education and empowering people with practical, accurate information about sexual health and blood‑borne viruses, helping to reduce stigma and support informed choice. Her approach is grounded in compassion, respect, and an understanding of the real‑world challenges people face.

Pacific HIV Symposium

Workshop: Harm Reduction and the Role of Peers and Community - From Evidence to Reflection

The facilitator will open with a simple anonymous question to the room: "When you hear the term harm reduction, what comes to mind?"

Responses will be used to surface different perspectives, assumptions, and misconceptions before providing a brief overview of harm reduction principles and their relevance to HIV responses.

Participants will then break into small groups and work through a case study based on a person who uses drugs in a Pacific context.

Community members from Timi Rama will participate in the discussions, sharing lived experience perspectives and helping participants explore the barriers individuals may face when accessing health and support services.

Groups will consider the respective roles of peers, community organisations, community health workers, health services, and other stakeholders in responding to these challenges. Each group will be asked to identify one practical action that could strengthen support for people who use drugs within their own setting.

The session will conclude with a facilitated report-back and reflection on key lessons, common themes, and opportunities for action.