On the occasion of World AIDS Day, CO “100% Life” held a large-scale campaign “HIV is not a period, but a comma”. Amidst the difficult conditions of war and economic challenges, our country demonstrates resilience in the fight against the HIV epidemic. This year’s event has become a platform for dialogue between government officials, healthcare professionals, international partners and NGOs who join forces to achieve global goals.
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The significance of the campaign
The main message of the campaign is to emphasise that an HIV diagnosis is not a sentence.
— All fears and myths are born of a lack of information. That is why we have chosen this slogan today. After all, we always put a comma in a sentence when we want to continue something. And today we want life to go on,” said Maxim Rovinsky, Communications Director of CO “100% Life”.
The campaign is aimed at combating fears and myths around HIV, which mostly arise from a lack of information. According to the organisers, the task is not only to overcome the epidemic, but also to change public attitudes towards people with HIV.
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Challenges and achievements
Mykhailo Rosada, Director General of the Public Health Centre, stressed that even in the difficult conditions of war, Ukraine maintains access to antiretroviral therapy and prevention programmes for 137,000 HIV-positive patients.
— Every year, about 11,000 new cases of HIV infection are registered in Ukraine. But despite all the challenges, we provide diagnostics, treatment and prevention. This is possible thanks to medical staff, NGOs and international partners,” Rosada said.
Matthias Schmalie, UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, noted Ukraine’s success in combating HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
— This is not only about healthcare, but also about human rights. Ukraine has joined a global partnership that promotes the creation of a legal framework for an effective response to the epidemic,” he added.
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International support
Humanitarian aid from PEPFAR, the Global Fund and other donors remains key to supporting treatment and prevention programmes in Ukraine. According to Mykhailo Radutskyi, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Health, the adoption of new laws will allow procurement of medicines with WHO prequalification, making treatment more affordable for Ukrainians.
— We hope that thanks to the support of international partners and the expansion of legislative opportunities, Ukrainians with HIV will receive more quality medicines at lower prices,” said Radutsky.
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New challenges: war and migration
The war has brought new challenges in the fight against HIV. Due to the displacement of the population, access to medical services in the frontline regions has become more difficult.
— Our mobile teams have already visited more than 300 settlements, helping those at risk. This is vital work, especially now that the winter is expected to be difficult,” said Pavlo Skola, Deputy Director of the Alliance for Public Health.
Elena Serdyuk, Director of the Elena Pinchuk Foundation, added:
— Our foundation focuses on supporting military personnel. They need not only protection at the front, but also access to treatment and diagnostics.
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Perspectives
The main goal is to completely overcome the epidemic by 2030. All the speakers called for united efforts of the state, the public and international partners to achieve this goal.
— We should not give up on the fight against HIV, we continue this work for the sake of everyone’s life,” summed up CDC Director in Ukraine Erzer Boryslay.
All participants expressed confidence that through joint efforts, Ukraine will be able to withstand and win not only on the battlefield, but also in the fight against the HIV epidemic.
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