Partners in progress
Ukraine has the highest prevalence of HIV in Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States: more than one per cent of the population aged 15–49 lives with the virus. While injecting drug use remains the primary source of HIV transmission, infection rates are rising among the heterosexual partners of users and among children.
The Alliance in Ukraine has been meeting these challenges head on by involving as wide a network of partners as possible, in civil society as well as in government.
In 2005, the Alliance’s programme continued to strengthen the ability of more than 100 projects and nationwide networks such as the All Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA Network) to respond to HIV and AIDS, for example with programmes to identify and provide care and support services and information. The development of new self-help groups throughout Ukraine has also been supported by the Alliance. This allows the Alliance to provide focused prevention activities for those most vulnerable to HIV; treatment, care, and support; advocacy; and information and education campaigns. The Alliance’s approach, based on close partnership between community groups and clinical facilities, is now being promoted in other countries in the region.
The Alliance also worked closely with the government throughout 2005 to strengthen the national AIDS response. In partnership with the AIDS Centre, the Ministry of Health and the PLHA Network, the Alliance carried out an evaluation of the needs of nine regions in Ukraine. This led to a decision to extend treatment services to eight new regions. As a result, by December 2005 anti-retroviral treatment became available for 2,714 people – an increase from just 137 people at the beginning of 2004, when the Alliance became principal recipient of funds from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
In addition to this, an agreement was signed with the State Penitentiary Department to work on human rights issues for HIV-positive inmates. Close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science has also resulted in HIV training for more than 600 teachers and HIV education for more than 20,000 students.
When the Ministry of Health approved a long-delayed distribution plan for substitution drugs, the Alliance was involved in assessing whether dispensaries were ready to start substitution therapy programmes. In an epidemic mostly driven by injecting drug use, substitution therapy is a valuable addition to HIV prevention options, providing legal access to drugs, and reducing needle sharing and its potential dangers. Despite serious political and bureaucratic challenges, a programme offering Buprenorphine therapy has now been launched in seven regions. By the end of 2005, 160 people were receiving substitution therapy, helping them adhere to anti-retroviral treatment and avoid needle sharing.
