Implementing comprehensive HIV and HCV Programmes with people who inject drugs

The global number of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs has increased by more than 33% compared over the past five years. There is also an alarming increase in infections with hepatitis C.  Access to services to address HIV among people who inject drugs remains too low, with needle and syringe programmes, opioid substitution therapy, and anti-retroviral treatment being of particular concern.

In line with UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Strategy 2016 – 2021: Connecting the Dots and the suite of implementation tools for other key populations which aim to increase access to basic services and reduce inequalities and exclusion, UNDP has contributed to the development of a tool  “Implementing Comprehensive HIV and HCV Programmes with People Who Inject Drugs: Practical Guidance for Collaborative Interventions” (IDUIT). The tool aims to support countries in fast tracking their response to HIV among people who inject drugs. IDUIT was developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Network of People Who inject Drugs (INPUD) together with PEPFAR, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNFPA, USAID, WHO. IDUIT is designed for use by public health officials, managers of HIV and harm reduction programmes, civil society, and health workers. It may also be of interest to international donors, health policy makers and advocates.

Topics covered include community empowerment, human rights and law reform, addressing stigma and discrimination, comprehensive package of harm reduction interventions, service delivery approaches, community involvement, programme management. The tool contains examples of good practices from around the world that can be used to support efforts to plan programmes and services with people who inject drugs.