 | | Mainline study: shockingly high HIV prevalence in Punjab, Pakistan | Although harm reduction programmes such as needles and syringe exchange
services and HIV testing and treatment have been available in Pakistan for many
years, Punjab province was one region with no service coverage. Local organisation Nai Zindagi pressed for steps to be taken, as Punjab is home to a large number of people who inject drugs.
Soon, Nai Zindagi, Mainline and the Government of Punjab partnered up and the
outcomes of the joint assessment are truly alarming. Read the report of the assessment here (pdf). | |
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 | | Trainer-of-Trainers programme: off to a flying start |
A second cycle of the Mainlines
Trainer-of-Trainer (ToT) programme was kicked off in July. The two year
programme includes participants from Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa
and Vietnam.
Watch our introduction video here
and find out more about this inspiring initiative on our website. | |
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|
 | | Needle and Syringe Programmes under pressure in South Africa | With
the needles and syringe programme in Durban closed by the local authorities
since May 2018, the services in Port Elisabeth are also facing difficulties now.
The local community raised complaints to the city council about crime they
associated with drug use in their neighbourhood.
The
situation shows an urgent need of continuous advocacy in support of harm
reduction as an effective approach to not only tackle HIV, but also reduce
crime and public order problems.
Mainline gives a shout out to our South African friends: continue the fight! | |
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 | | Tanzania: one shot – you’re out? | The
only type of available syringes in Tanzania are made to avoid reuse. Although
in theory this is a great idea – it should prevent people from sharing their
needles or using blunt ones – the reality proves otherwise.
People rework their
gear to allow multiple uses. Harm reduction provider Mukikute tries to make as
many needles and syringes available as they can to prevent people from harming
their skin, veins and friends. Used needles can be dumped in the metal containers that Mukikute provides.
Read more about our work in Tanzania. | |
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|
 | | Youth Vision in Nepal: the road to becoming a harm reduction expert | For many
years, Youth Vision (Nepal) and Mainline worked together to support people who
inject drugs in Nepal. Under the Bridging the Gaps programme, Youth Vision grew
into a true harm reduction expert. Would you like to know how Youth Vision
achieved this?
Watch the
video of Youth Vision’s work in Nepal.
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|
 | | Bridging the Gaps ‘Learning Institute’ | During
this year’s Bridging the Gaps ‘Learning Institute’, a powerful video was
produced on the importance of including key populations in programmes that seek
to prevent and treat HIV.
Watch
the video here. | |
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|
 | | New board member: Monique Middelhoff | Mainline is proud to announce Monique Middelhoff as
a new member to our board. Monique is an important Dutch expert in harm
reduction and HIV.
Now an independent adviser in the field of HIV/AIDS
and public health, Monique recently retired as senior adviser for HIV and SRHR
at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Her rich experience in renown
institutes such as (the Dutch) RIVM and UNAIDS, will make her an invaluable
asset to Mainline board. Welcome Monique! |
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|
 | | Managing drug use during Ramadan | Many people with a Muslim background who use drugs still find it
very important to respect the holy month of Ramadan. Mainline found that even people
who live on the streets find ways to practise their religion within their personal
possibilities. Mainlines local partners in
South Africa and Kenya tried to support service users to fast.
For people who use drugs, especially those who are
homeless, the challenges of fasting add to – and to some extent enforce – their
daily struggles.
Read the whole article here. | |
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