Ukraine Aims for Better HIV and TB Patient Care
24 February 2015
KIEV, Ukraine – The Government of Ukraine, civil society groups and the Global Fund will intensify efforts against HIV and tuberculosis after signing new grant agreements for US$134 million.
Ukraine has the second-highest HIV prevalence rate in Eastern Europe and also carries a high burden of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Despite recent armed conflict within its borders, Ukraine is working hard on HIV and TB.
The new grants are aimed at improving the public health system through greater patient-oriented prevention, treatment, care and support. Programs will focus on people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men and people living with HIV and TB in prisons.
Three organizations will implement the grants: the International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, and the Ukraine Health Ministry’s Center for Socially Dangerous Disease Control. The agreement covers a three-year period, from 2015-2017.
The grants and the programs they will fund were finalized after a highly inclusive drafting process that included people whose lives are directly affected by HIV and TB, as well as the organizations that support and advocate for them.
“In exceptionally difficult circumstances, people living with HIV and TB have joined with others from civil society, the United Nations and the Ukraine Government to ensure that the effort against these two epidemics is not disrupted,” said Dr Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund. “This is a tremendous achievement and will ensure treatment and prevention continues in every corner of Ukraine.”
To date, the Global Fund has invested over US$415 million in the fight against TB and HIV in Ukraine, contributing to significant results, notably the stabilisation of HIV transmission among people who inject drugs. Ukraine’s progress against HIV and TB has benefitted from a strong focus on prevention, harm-reduction and care and support for people living with HIV and tuberculosis or at risk of contracting them.