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ID: HR19-1342

Presenting author: Giorgi Soselia

Presenting author biography:

Giorgi Soselia - Advocacy Coordinator for MDM representation in Georgia is a public health professional with more then 10 years experience of work in HIV, HCV and Harm Reduction. Giorgi's expertise lays on access of KAPs to essential healthcare services and treatments, as well as community mobilisation and advocacy.

SCALING-UP OF AN EFFECTIVE MODEL OF HARM REDUCTION-BASED AND PEER-SUPPORTED HEPATITIS C TREATMENT FOR PWID IN GEORGIA

Giorgi Soselia, Ina Inaridze, Tamar Kikvidze, Elisabeth Avril, Julie Bouscaillou, Maia Butsashvili, Giorgi Kamkamidze, Konstantine Labartkava

Issue:
HCV is a major health problem in Georgia with PWID being the most affected population. Criminalization of drug use and other structural barriers, including lack of linkage between treatment and prevention services, are major barriers to access HCV treatment.

Settings:
Population-based sero-prevalence survey conducted by NCDC (National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health) and USCDC (United States Centers for Disease Control), revealed a prevalence of 5.16% HCV/RNA positive among general population, estimating 150,000 people in need for treatment. PWIDs represent prevalence estimations up to 74%. In 2015, Government of Georgia started a HCV elimination program, targeting eradication of HCV by 2025.

Project:
Medecins du Monde-MdM (INGO) with its partners New Vector (PUD association) and Neolab (treatment clinic) developed a pilot model in Tbilisi to enhancing uptake to- and successful outcome of treatment for PWIDs.
The model is based on peer-based interventions to improve HCV treatment outcomes for PWIDs. Role of peer-supporters includes educational interventions; navigate beneficiaries throughout treatment pathways and mediation between clinics and beneficiaries. Experiences and lessons learned were capitalized in a practical guide in order to support the scale up of this model at national level.

Outcome:
The model demonstrated to be effective for enhanced HCV screening and treatment uptake, successful treatment outcome and low reinfection rates. After successful piloting and negotiations with decision makers, the model was integrated into national harm reduction framework.
Based on the request from national health authorities and GFATM, MdM has supported national scale-up of the model into 14 harm reduction centers countrywide. MdM and partners have trained all Harm Reduction(HR) associations on this model, based on the tools developed with the community. Integration of the model contributes to systematized linkage between HR and HCV treatment. Next phase of the model will include HCV treatment integration into HR services.