INHSU 2026

6-9 OCTOBER 2026

Clarion Congress Hotel Prague
Czech Republic

The 14th International Conference
on Health and Hepatitis
in Substance Users

Register now

Additional Events

 

Each year, we offer a range of pre-conference events, sponsored symposia, and other events alongside the main conference. View this year’s events below. 

Exact timings are subject to change.

 

Policy Day

  • Monday 5 October 2026
  • 8:30 am–1:00 pm
  • In person only
  • Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic

As health systems evolve and funding landscapes shift, integration is becoming an increasingly important consideration for harm reduction and related health services. The INHSU 2026 Policy Day will bring together global experts, policymakers, researchers, community representatives, and service providers to explore the opportunities, challenges, and practical considerations of integration.

Through case studies, discussion, and collaborative problem-solving, participants will examine approaches to integrating harm reduction within broader health systems while maintaining access, quality, and community-centred care.

Join us for this interactive session to share experiences, identify best practices and common pitfalls, and contribute to the future of integrated health service delivery.

How to register: Fill in our Expression of Interest form here.

Prison Health in Action: Scaling Up Hepatitis C Prevention, Testing and Treatment in Carceral Settings

 

  • Tuesday 6 October
  • 8:30am – 12:30pm
  • In-person only
  • Free to attend, tickets available to conference delegates
  • Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic

 

Ahead of the INHSU Conference 2026, join colleagues from around the world for a focused, interactive pre-conference event dedicated to strengthening infectious disease prevention, testing and treatment in prisons and jails.

This event will spotlight practical strategies to scale up hepatitis C (HCV) prison-based models of care, with an emphasis on real-world implementation. Designed primarily for frontline service providers working in carceral settings, the session is also open to all INHSU delegates engaged in hepatitis C, harm reduction, and infectious disease responses in carceral settings. Across the workshop, participants will:
 
  • Learn of the current landscape of HCV and harm reduction in European prisons, highlighting policy, systems and service delivery gaps.
  • Explore common implementation challenges and practical solutions
  • Participate in a structured global panel discussion, drawing on diverse regional experiences to identify transferable lessons and scalable approaches.
  • Connect with peers during dedicated networking time, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across jurisdictions.

 

This event will provide a collaborative space to move beyond theory and into action—supporting participants to leave with concrete ideas, adaptable tools, and strengthened international connections to accelerate hepatitis C elimination efforts in prisons and jails worldwide.

How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process.

Program

Community Day

 

  • Tuesday 6 October
  • 10:00am – 4:00pm
  • In-person only
  • Free to attend
  • Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic

 

The Community Day is open to delegates with living or lived experience of drug use. The INHSU Community Day is a vital part of the INHSU Conference, bringing together people with experience of using drugs and ensuring their voice is amplified during the conference and beyond. The day is organised for the community, by the community, led by the INHSU Community Committee.

How to register: Sign up during the conference registration process. 

Program

EMCR workshop

  • Tuesday 6 October
  • 10am-12pm
  • In-person only
  • Free to attend
  • Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic

 

This workshop is organised by our INHSU Early-Mid-Career Special Interest Group (INHSU EMCR). Join fellow early and mid career researchers (EMCRs) from across the globe to explore practical approaches to embedding knowledge translation throughout the research lifecycle, drawing on experiences from researchers, community organisations, and people working at the interface of research and practice.

How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process. 

Program

EMCR & Nurses Workshop

  • Tuesday 6 October
  • 1:00pm – 4:00pm
  • In-person only
  • Free to attend
  • Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic

 

This interactive pre-conference workshop brings together nurses, trainees, and early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) to strengthen collaboration, mentorship, and leadership in hepatitis C care and research. Participants will explore real-world examples of nurse-led models of care, engage in small-group discussions on implementation and evaluation, and build new professional networks to support future research and practice initiatives. The workshop will provide practical tools, collaborative learning opportunities, and space to shape future nurse-led and early-career research partnerships.

How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process. 

Program

 

Early-Mid-Career-Researcher, Nurses and Community Networking Event

  • Tuesday 6 October
  • 4:15pm – 6:00pm
  • In-person only
  • Free to attend
  • Clarion Congress Hotel Prague

 

Open to all Nurses, EMCRs and people with living and lived experience of drug use attending INHSU 2026, this networking event provides a chance to break down barriers and connect with people with interests in the health of people who use drugs. This event is scheduled ahead of the main conference to help build connections to last throughout and after the conference.

How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process. 

Nurse’s Breakfast

  • Wednesday 7 October
  • 7:00am – 8:30am
  • In-person only
  • Free to attend
  • Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic

 

This event, open to all nurses attending INHSU 2026, offers an excellent opportunity to connect with nursing peers over breakfast and tea. It’s a chance to share insights and learn about innovative nurse-led models of care for people who use drugs from around the globe. With a growing number of nurses driving change in care models, this networking event aims to inspire collaboration and further the impact of nursing practice in this field.

How to register: You can sign up during the conference registration process. 

General Assembly Meeting & Networking Event

 

  • Wednesday 7 October
  • 5:30pm – 6:30pm followed by networking drinks
  • In-person and online
  • Open to INHSU members. Become a member here
  • Clarion Congress Hotel Prague, Czech Republic

 

The General Assembly Meeting (GAM) is INHSU’s annual gathering where members review the network’s progress, discuss key initiatives, and vote on important matters. This is a vital opportunity for members to shape the organisation’s future, provide input on strategic priorities, and engage with INHSU’s leadership.
 
All members are encouraged to attend and have their say in the direction of the network.
 
To join INHSU, visit: https://www.inhsu.org/about-us/membership/ or email [email protected] to check your current membership status.

 

How to register: Members will be provided a link to register for the GAM.

Practical Pathways to HCV Elimination: From Diagnosis to Cure in Community and Harm Reduction Settings

  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • 8:00 – 8:45
  • Leo/Virgo Room

 

Speakers

  • Lesley Gallagher, Saskatchewan Infectious Disease Care Network, Canada
  • Chris Fraser, Cool Aid Community Health Centre, Canada
  • Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak, Foundation for Social Education, Poland

 

Choose Your Elimination Plan: Equity, Innovation and Community-led BBV Care

  • Thursday 8th October 2026
  • 12:45 – 13:45
  • Zennit Room

 

Join this interactive Gilead-sponsored symposium exploring how equity, innovation and community-led approaches can accelerate progress towards global bloodborne virus elimination goals. In a “choose your own elimination plan” format, you will vote live to shape the agenda, selecting three presentation topics focused on practical strategies to improve access, engagement and continuity of viral hepatitis and HIV care for people who use drugs. Together, we will explore how equity-driven and community-centred approaches can help advance progress towards viral hepatitis and HIV elimination.

Speakers:

  • Tamara Barnett, Cool Aid, Community Health Centre, Canada
  • Ria Al-Halabi, SANANIM, Czech Republic 
  • Yarelix Estrada, Remedy Alliance / For The People, USA 
  • Ashley Brown, Imperial College London, UK

Improving access to drug dependence treatment: Demonstrating value and building an inclusive system

  • Friday 9th October 2026
  • 8:30 – 9:15
  • Leo/Virgo Room

 

This session will examine the substantial socioeconomic value associated with the provision of accessible, high-quality treatment for drug dependence. Andreas Nilsson will present economic modeling data demonstrating how multiple sectors of society may benefit from investment that supports treatment engagement, and how the distribution of costs and savings necessitates a whole-system commitment. Cathy Montgomery will review barriers and facilitators to treatment access and engagement, particularly among vulnerable or marginalized groups, and consider how treatment systems may be designed to more effectively reach those requiring care.

Speakers:

  • Andreas Nilsson, The Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE), Lund, Sweden
  • Cathy Montgomery, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK