As part of the MENAHRA project, three inter-linked harm reduction knowledge hubs have been established across the region – in Iran, Lebanon and Morocco. The main goals of these hubs are to provide training, information and data on harm reduction for the respective sub-regions, and to provide a strategic link between individual countries and governments and the MENAHRA secretariat (as well as other regional and international harm reduction organisations). Between them, the three hubs cover 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The activities of each knowledge hub (KH) are detailed below.
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Iran (KH-INCAS)
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The Iranian Knowledge Hub (KH-INCAS) is hosted by the Iranian National Council on Addictions (INCAS) and is based in Tehran, Iran.
Since the project launch in June 2007, the KH-INCAS has undertaken the following key activities:
• A training course on the ‘Principles of Harm Reduction’ (in October 2007), with a focus on opiate substitution treatment
• Two training courses on ‘Psychotherapeutic Care for Clients in Maintenance Treatment’ (in December 2007 and January 2008), attended by over 70 psychologists, doctors and psychiatrists
• A five-day training course on ‘Voluntary, Counseling and Testing for HIV’ (December 2007 to January 2008)
• A training workshop on ‘Structured Assessment of Substance Abuse and High Risk Behaviour’ (February 2008)
• A course on ‘Harm Reduction and Substance Abuse Treatment in Prison Settings’ (April 2008) for over 40 participants – including prison healthcare staff
• A large-scale seminar on ‘Harm Reduction’ (October 2007) for about 800 participants from across Iran, with topics including new experiences and challenges for opiate substitution treatment
• Visits to INCAS Knowledge Hub for key stakeholders from Afghanistan and Pakistan
In the next year, KH-INCAS plans to help install 2 opiate substitution treatment centres (most probably in Afghanistan and Pakistan), which will involve the delivery of training, protocols, guidlines, evaluation, and lobbying for local support.
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Lebanon (KH-SIDC)
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The Lebanon knowledge hub is co-ordinated by Soins Infirmiers et Developpement Communautaire (SIDC) (who are also the overall MENAHRA secretariat) in partnership with the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), the International Management and Training Institute (IMTI) and the Lebanese AIDS Society (LAS). KH-SIDC covers 12 countries – including Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine.
Since the project launch in June 2007, the KH-SIDC has undertaken the following key activities:
• Training workshops on harm reduction principles and rapid situation assessments, opiate substitution treatment, and the role of the media in harm reduction – which were attended by a range of stakeholders including policy makers, healthcare professionals and NGOs
• A series of awareness and educational sessions for key groups in Lebanon (including several media agencies)
• Field visits to Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates
• Establishing contacts with key regional stakeholders
• Creating a Steering Committee and an Advisory Committee to guide their work
• Working with NGOs and the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon on the implementation of the opiate substitute treatment protocol in the country
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Morocco (KH Ar-Razi)
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The Moroccan Knowledge Hub (KH Ar-Razi) is the result of collaboration between an NGO called ‘La Ligue de Rabat-Salé pour la Santé Mentale’ and the ‘Ar-Razi University Hospital’. KH Ar-Razi serves the North African countries (Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia), and is located at the Ar-Razi University Hospital Centre in Rabat- Salé.
Since the project launch in June 2007, the KH Ar-Razi has undertaken the following key activities:
• Training and advocacy workshops on street work and proximity approaches, the public health approach to harm reduction, opioid substitution treatment, and assessment and planning. In total, 63 participants from various organisations were trained (including representatives from civil society and state institutions).
• The creation of a Knowledge Hub website – www.kh-arrazi.ma.
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Over the next year, KH Ar-Razi plans to deliver further training and workshops directed at policy makers, the media and civil society representatives in order to improve advocacy for harm reduction.
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