The Ministry of Health is implementing innovative approaches to combat HIV infection
Kyiv • UNN
HIV prevention and treatment services are being expanded in Ukraine: The Ministry of Health is improving opportunities for self-testing and making services more accessible to people living with HIV. The innovative project will be available in 268 healthcare facilities in 16 regions.
The project "REACH 95: Access to Quality HIV Services in Healthcare Facilities in Ukraine" will cover 268 healthcare facilities in 16 regions of Ukraine. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, according to UNN.
Details
The five-year project is aimed at expanding prevention services for people living with HIV and increasing self-testing points outside of healthcare facilities. It is noted that it meets the goals of the National Strategy and international standards for achieving control of the HIV epidemic by 2030 and should improve access to high-quality services for people living with HIV.
The strategy for combating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis envisages the creation and operation of effective, innovative, flexible systems for the provision of quality and affordable services for the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of these diseases
He added that the project plans to scale up pre-exposure prophylaxis services and increase opportunities for community-based HIV self-testing services: both with the help of non-medical workers and by virtually searching for the nearest places to get tested or get a self-test kit.
Add
In 2023, HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment were available to patients in 322 healthcare facilities across the country. In 2024, 367 healthcare facilities signed contracts with the NHSU to provide medical services for patients with HIV. The volume of HIV testing services in 2023 increased by 39.6% (to 2 250 940 people against 1 612 841 in 2022). At the same time, the number of tests using rapid tests almost doubled (to 1 257 646 vs. 647 949 in 2022).
The proportion of positive HIV test results in the country in 2023 was 0.63% (compared to 1% in 2021 and 2022). In total, 11 ,658 cases of HIV infection were detected and officially registered in 2023 (against 12 ,212 cases in 2022).
Statistics
The National Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Program (PrEP) provides antiretroviral drugs free of charge to people at high risk of HIV infection. The service is available at designated healthcare facilities in each region. According to the results of 2023, the PrEP program covered 13 147 people (4 072 more than in 2022). In 2023, it was used by 41% of men who have sex with men; 19% of people who inject drugs; 1% of people who provide sexual services for remuneration.
The Ministry of Health adds that antiretroviral therapy is one of the key factors in reducing the risk of transmission and reducing HIV-related morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV. As of January 1, 2024, 118 348 people living with HIV in Ukraine are on antiretroviral therapy.
