Author: Yana Kazmirenko, Ukraine
Over 250 thousand HIV tests will be done in Kyiv allowing to cover 10% of the employable population of the Ukrainian capital. Nikolay Povoroznik, the Deputy Head of Kyiv City State Administration, informed UNIAN Information Agency that in order to reach these numbers, city authorities will additionally procure 140 thousand express tests. HIV testing is the first step towards overcoming the epidemic because information about one’s positive status allows the timely start of treatment for the patient.
Kyiv is home to over three million people. According to experts’ estimates, there are 23 thousand HIV-positive residents. This is one-tenth of the estimates for Ukraine – 250 thousand people. As the Medical Superintendent of Kyiv AIDS Prevention and Control Centre Aleksandr Yurchenko clarifies, procured tests are not intended for residents of Kyiv from risk groups and categories not subject to mandatory testing (pregnant women, donors, patients prior to surgeries, etc – editor’s note.)
“Tests have already been procured and distributed. Screening is available at all polyclinics in the capital. The procedure takes 15-20 minutes. With mass testing, we will increase the HIV detection level to 5%,” forecasts Mr. Yurchenko.
Besides, the routes of patients with HIV are being optimized in the capital of Ukraine to ensure immediate referral for treatment, receipt of antiretroviral therapy and professional medical advice.
Medical professionals after testing have the task to promptly put patients under observation. At the end of 2017, 42% of HIV-positive patients were receiving therapy. A year ago, this number reached 30%. By the end of 2018, doctors intend to have 70% of patients who are aware of their status registered.
High expectations from reform and strategy
Nikolay Povoroznik forecasts that the number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy will amount to 8 thousand in 2018. The official has high expectations from the medical reform, which commenced in Ukraine in autumn of last year. HIV-positive residents of Kyiv will be able to receive prescription of antiretroviral medications at the level of district polyclinics and their health condition will be further monitored by the family doctors.
In 2016, Kyiv Mayor signed the Paris Declaration allowing Ukraine to join the Fast-Track Cities programme to expedite AIDS control measures. Over 70 major cities in the world joined the global movement. This year implementation of Fast-Track Cities strategy also envisions start of educational programmes, expansion of the number of substitution therapy courses, and start of operation of five offices for integrated assistance during substitution therapy, monitored treatment of tuberculosis, etc.
It is envisioned that in 2020 90% of people shall know their status, 90% of those infected shall receive therapy, and for 90% of patients the therapy shall be effective with a zero viral load.
Odesa to host City Health Conference
Odesa is a seaport in the South of Ukraine that is home to over one million people. Odesa followed suit after Kyiv undertaking obligations under the Paris Declaration in February 2017. Residents are provided with medications for prevention and treatment of opportunistic infections under the municipal Health programme using budget funds.
“After the Mayor of Odesa signed the Paris Declaration, it was decided to develop the special-purpose program for the city for 2018-2020 to counter the epidemic of HIV infection and tuberculosis. This document has been developed and is prepared for approval at the City Council session,” says the Medical Superintendent of Odesa AIDS Prevention Centre Vitaliy Novosvitskiy.
Last year the Department of health of Odesa City Council issued a number of orders for procurement (for the total amount of 1.5 mln. UAH), implementation and use of express tests at all health care institutions in the city.
According to the Ministry of Health statistics, the largest number of HIV infected in relation to population lives in Odesa region, where there are 865.8 HIV-positive patients per 100 thousand people. For 77% of those residing in Odesa, HIV was sexually transmitted. The latest surveillance data clearly shows that increase in the number of HIV-positive persons is closely linked to the dangerous sexual behaviour of injecting drug users and their partners. 11.5 thousand people are registered at the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Centre. The intention is to increase this number to 19 thousand by 2020. 4.5 thousand people are receiving antiretroviral therapy.
In 2017, Odesa infectious diseases hospital was modernized – a cubicle-ward building was added. This year the sea capital of Ukraine will host the City Health International Conference, in the course of which the best practices in fighting HIV will be addressed.
