Ukraine
Total Treatment Sites:		2
Treatment Site Location(s):		Odessa  Kiev (opening 2009)
Patients on ART:		543
Patient Enrolled:		958
Report in PDF Format:		Ukraine Country Report

HIV/AIDS in Ukraine

The adult HIV prevalence rate in Ukraine is 1.6%, surpassing that of Russia (1.1%).  Together, Russia and Ukraine account for 90% of total infections in the region.  In 2007, 34% of Ukrainian adults and children with advanced HIV-infection received ARV therapy.  However, the number of officially reported new infections has been growing every year since 1999 and the estimated HIV prevalence rate amongst adults is 1.63%.  The epidemic is most concentrated among injecting drug users (73% of all reported cases since 1986 and 59% of all newly reported HIV infections in 2003) and heterosexual transmission is increasing, especially to the female sexual partners of IDU and sex workers (WHO, 2004).  HIV prevalence among sex workers ranges from 4% in Kiev to 24% in Donetsk and 27% in Mikolayev (www.avert.org).

The NGO sector provides the majority of care and prevention services as the overall capacity of the government health sector to provide ART is very limited.  Drug procurement is heavily dependent on the availability of donor funds and drug procurement systems must be strengthened.

AHF Activities in Ukraine

AHF has worked in Ukraine since 2004, when it began a preceptorship training project funded by Round 1 of the Global Fund.  In collaboration with Samara and Saratov Health Care Administrations and American International Health Alliance, AHF formed the Volga River Alliance Project, with a focus on clinical training and mentoring for primary level infectious disease specialists, HIV/AIDS care teams, and general practitioners.  Over 100 caregivers, including 40 infectious disease specialists, 30 primary care physicians, and 40 nurses from the Saratov and Samara regions were trained and 400 patients received ART as a direct result of the Volga River Alliance Project.

Responding to the need to move beyond technical assistance activities and to start direct provision of comprehensive care and treatment in the region, in November 2008 AHF established an outpatient clinic in Odessa, a seaport city with one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Ukraine.  In 2009 the clinic will provide treatment, testing and counseling services and manage an estimated 1,500 patient visits.

AHF also actively advocates for free and easy HIV testing in the region.  Through AHF’s global Mass Testing Initiative, AHF Ukraine and its partners conducted 1,105 tests during events organized around World AIDS Day 2008 and provided treatment referrals to those who tested positive (0.45%). 

Models of Care

Technical Assistance & Supervision

Training

Direct Care

HIV Counseling & Testing