Ukrainian Health Ministry Approves Measures Aimed At Combating HIV/AIDS In 2008

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 28 Jan 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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The Ukrainian Ministry of Health recently approved a set of measures aimed at combating HIV/AIDS in 2008, the Ukrainian News reports. The measures were written as part of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko's instructions to draft and approve a national HIV/AIDS program for 2009 to 2013 (Shpakovskyi, Ukrainian News, 1/23).

Yushchenko in December 2007 ordered ministers in the country's Cabinet to develop measures for conducting large-scale HIV prevention programs, as well as for providing access to HIV testing and treatment. Yushchenko also called on the Cabinet to increase the work of the National Council for Fighting Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, as well as to improve the system that registers and purchases medicines, such as antiretroviral drugs. In addition, the government was instructed to ensure the creation of an advertising campaign aimed at preventing HIV, as well as to take steps aimed at developing partnerships with international donor organizations (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 12/14/07).

Under the measures, the health ministry's department of public procurements and the Committee for Combating HIV/AIDS and Other Socially Dangerous Illnesses will draft proposals aimed at improving legal documents that regulate state funds for health supplies and health care workers. The committee along with other organizations also will draft proposals on the placement of public advertisements aimed at preventing HIV, as well as the funding for such ads.

The measures also call for several agencies to draft proposals aimed at increasing cooperation with international donor organizations in an effort to bolster donor funding for HIV/AIDS programs in Ukraine. In addition, the measures call for proposals on ways to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and education; increase the number of physicians at medical facilities; and review standard procedures for personnel at facilities that provide HIV/AIDS services, the News reports (Ukrainian News, 1/23).

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