Odesa's Initiative Against HIV
On the eve of World AIDS Day, the Odesa Health Department held a briefing with representatives of non-governmental organizations.
An event for free confidential HIV and hepatitis testing was also organized at the Administrative Services Center for all interested employees and visitors.
The city authorities of Odesa, healthcare institutions, and NGOs are effectively combining efforts to combat the spread of HIV and other socially significant diseases.
In 2017, Odesa's mayor Gennady Trukhanov signed the Paris Declaration, allowing Odesa to join the global Fast Track Cities initiative aimed at ending the HIV epidemic in major cities worldwide.
Since then, the implementation of city-targeted programs has led to significant achievements in fighting HIV. Notably, 98% of people living with HIV in Odesa are aware of their status, compared to just 50% before signing the Paris Declaration. This high percentage has been achieved through extensive testing coverage in all city medical facilities.
Among those who know their HIV-positive status, 96% are under medical supervision and receive antiretroviral therapy (this figure was 60% before signing the declaration).
Multidisciplinary teams comprising medical professionals and social workers are working in all medical establishments to assist individuals diagnosed with HIV in accessing timely treatment and psychosocial support.
At the City Center for HIV Prevention and Control, patients receive modern antiretroviral therapy free of charge. The effectiveness of treatment is evidenced by the fact that over 96% of these patients have an undetectable viral load (before the declaration, this figure was 86%).
Early diagnosis of HIV and adherence to the prescribed antiretroviral therapy allows people living with HIV to lead a full life and have healthy children.
Additionally, Odesa has introduced support programs for HIV-positive pregnant women and their newborns, which include free medication to suppress lactation and milk formulas for safe artificial feeding.
Furthermore, Odesa has active substitution therapy programs, harm reduction for substance users, and psychosocial rehabilitation for those who have chosen to quit using psychoactive substances.
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From November 25 to 29, free anonymous HIV testing is available in medical facilities in Odesa.
Addresses and schedule of the event.
