STRUCTURE

Dr. Fadi Meroueh is currently a Hospital Practitioner and Head of the Health Unit of the Villeneuve-les-Maguelone prison, which is a part of Montpellier’s University Hospital. He is the president of HWB since July 2018. 

Healthcare ethics: Over his 22 years of experience in healthcare in prison, he witnessed major reforms of the legal framework of detained person’s healthcare. Initially under the authority of the Ministry of Justice, the Health Unit in Prison are now administrated by the Ministry of Health. This reform came with the official duty of providing healthcare services in prison equal to those provided outside.
Addictions and Hepatitis C : The eradication of Hepatitis C within the prison of Villeneuve-les-Maguelone is a major achievement and the first of its kind in Europe and North America. This result was obtained through a combination of prevention (testing systematically offered, NEP), medication and support from the medical staff. Despite this shift in principle, Dr Meroueh has been fighting administrative obstruction and reticence in order to effectively achieve equal and adequate care for his patients. For instance, one of his fight was to put into place a needles exchange program (NEP). While the program is now functioning, it still faces opposition from the Prison Administration.

Continuity of care: Preparation for release is also one of the biggest issue. Most patients find themselves without social security rights and without housing upon release. In order to ensure a continuity of care between prison and the outside, Dr. Meroueh also have a weekly activity in an associative addiction center called “Arc-en-Ciel” in Montpellier. He holds there visiting hours dedicated to the management of Hepatitis C for PWID. 

He also is an expert consultant for various French and European organizations.