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Abstract
ART as harm reduction for HIV positive drug users
Kuzenna O.1
The International HIV/AIDS Alliance is leading a programme to provide antitretroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV positive people in Ukraine, where 56% of HIV transmission is via injecting drug use. The Alliance is leading this programme from its office in Kiev and working in partnership with the All Ukrainian Network of PLHA and the Ukrainian Ministry of Health. It is funded by the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria. This paper will describe aspects of the national ARV programme – its six locations, initiatives to improve technical capacity for providing ARV therapy, initiatives to educate drug users about the value of ARV treatment, and the partnerships that support a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of HIV positive IDUs. Features of comprehensive treatment and care for HIV positive drug users include the involvement of HIV positive drug users in planning and decision making, peer education and support, welfare support, advocacy for the rights of HIV positive drug users to services, access to HIV testing and counselling, access to substitution treatment and the provision of ARV therapy. The Alliance’s ARV treatment programme is informed by a human rights approach to ARV treatment for IDUs and by a harm reduction approach. It sits alongside the Alliance’s other HIV prevention/harm reduction programmes that target IDUs. An objective of this programme is to increase access to services for HIV positive drug users, including ARV treatment. Outcomes of the programme include the provision of ARV treatment to drug users, development of peer education and outreach projects and strengthening the capacity of organisations representing HIV positive drug users. Progress in this programme has been constrained by both programmatic and political challenges. This paper will describe both outcomes and challenges.
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
WePe10.4P02
Suggested Citation
" Kuzenna O.
ART as harm reduction for HIV positive drug users.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
WePe10.4P02"
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