In 20 years of work we are ready for any challenge

Tasks

The main task for our foundation has always been and will be protecting society from the spread of HIV and its consequences, helping to maintain health on the basis of respect for every human life. Within the emergency caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it was crucial for us to maintain the sustainability of the vital support services for our clients.

Solution

During the period of the epidemic of a new coronavirus infection, the St. Petersburg Charitable Foundation ‘Humanitarian Action’ has organized delivery of ART therapy to patients registered in AIDS centers in the city of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region since March 30, 2020. The therapy delivery is done by the case managers of the fund and the courier service to the patients’ home addresses in the city of St. Petersburg, the Leningrad Region and other Russian territories, where patients currently registered in the city and regional AIDS centers are. At the same time, the delivery of ART to patients was also organized in medical institutions, where people living with HIV were on long-term treatment.

Delivery of medication is carried out within 2-5 days after the attending physician, social services staff, employees of rehabilitation centers, etc. call the ‘hotline’ to the coordinator of the medical and social support service of the foundation. Additionally, protection kits from COVID-19 are put with ART kits such as medical gloves, alcohol wipes, and tablets for the convenience of receiving ART. Also, the delivery of ART to the home is carried out by the employees of the project “Medical and social assistance to people with limited mobility living with HIV”, where blood sampling is carried out; an infectious disease specialist, a psychologist and a social worker consult patients.

During the period of self-isolation, case managers of the fund continue counseling individually, covering all the clients of the fund:

– Support on social networks (Vkontakte, Telegram) and by phone. Counselling topics: HIV prevention and treatment, viral hepatitis, enrollment in care at AIDS centers, receiving ART, drug addiction treatment, document recovery.

– Advising a lawyer and case managers on legal issues related to alternative criminal sanctions for drug offenses.

– To inform on the adherence to treatment and retention of all clients who are accompanied by therapy; additionally, the client’s location, admission schedule and ARVT reserve are specified by time.

All fund services also are available for people who apply for the first time.

Collaboration goes on with 54 institutions in the city and the region assisting drug-related medical and social services.

Case managers of the fund talk about the importance of maintaining adherence to ART to PLHIV who received it, and provide them with long-term support.

Result

From March 30 to May 10, 2020, 181 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy, including those in medical institutions for long-term treatment.

By May 10, 2020, the services of the medical and social support service reached 1542 people living with HIV.