No one living with HIV in Estonia should be left without support

The world has changed today, and become different since the advent of COVID-19. An unknown virus has taken all our thoughts; it appeared next to HIV and socially significant diseases. Time has become more pragmatic, even tough and it is very important not to lose the most important thing that was conquered by the lives of activists, professionals and ordinary people. What is more, now is the time of non-governmental public associations which have played and are playing a very important role as one of the elements of the democratic construction of our countries, as the vehicles of vital aspects - cooperation, dialogue, mercy and goodness.
Lachin Aliyev Chair of the Board of Estonian Network of PLWH (EHPV)

Context

On March 12, in connection with the global coronavirus pandemic and its possible wider spread in Estonia, the authorities imposed a state of emergency in the state until May 17, 2020.

Maybe, this is trivial, but, unfortunately, all our organizations and communities had a hard time in these difficult conditions of the COVID 19 pandemic. This is a kind of exam, a litmus test that showed where and at what stage we are. Some previously paid more attention to their career development, the visibility of the organization, the significance of the ‘career’ organization…

But the main thing is that all of us now remain honest, responsive and ready to help others. At the same time, our business requires a lot of time and effort from us, a simple definition of the organization of communities is those who help other people who are at their worst right now … Helping people today, we help ourselves to be realized. Of course, only if our intentions are good. Other organizations and people have to live a long fate in order to find themselves, their calling. Very often the soul hurts for what is happening nearby and around. And there is so much pain and suffering in the world now. The great ones said that suffering exalts, but perhaps they destroy our false ideas about life, make us think. So, the way the world works that something is acquired only at the cost of losing something. I don’t want to make an associative series with our socially significant diseases, and yet, for example, health is the more significant the loss, the greater the internal destruction and the likelihood of breakdown, but there is a greater likelihood of finding the possibility of stronger resistance – to live despite everything. What got a person who went through hardships and destruction – exaltation or humiliation -, he was only aware of this. And here it is so important not to be alone, despite our differences. HIV-positive and HIV-negative, representatives of state structures and non-governmental organizations, cultural and business figures, men and women, sexual and national minorities, emigrants and migrants, disabled and economically active people, religious figures and atheists, advocates of the ‘war on drugs’ and ‘harm reduction’ , national and international unions and networks, etc. and etc. – we will certainly solve, if not all, then many of the challenges and problems, and maybe not only them, maybe it is in our diversity that there is a panacea for our troubles … To be together is then a lot of strength for us and we will be able to get closer to global initiatives on the one hand, and on the other hand, to help those very people who so need our participation, – Lachin Aliyev.

Solution

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we, taking into account the need to preserve the health and safety of employees and customers, organized the provision of all services online so as to ensure their availability for those who need them.

All personal consultations, including a psychologist, a social worker and counselors, were transferred to the online mode (mobile, Skype, ZOOM, social network messengers).

Due to the emergency situation and the impact of the COVID pandemic, we purchased and distributed among the staff and customers the means for preventing coronavirus (masks, sanitizers, disposable gloves).

Information resources are mobilized as part of the Consortium of Estonian communities of COVID-19 and HIV, which serves as an information center to track the latest news about COVID-19 and transmits accurate information to other groups of civil society.

Since the epidemic began, the Estonian network of PLHIV began to work nonstop in a special mode. No one who needed our help was left unattended, but at the same time, our activities are not able to fully satisfy all the needs of our customers without the help of the state. Therefore, the Estonian Network of PLHIV, on behalf of representatives of communities affected by HIV, addressed an open letter to the Estonian Government, the Social Ministry and municipalities.

The Estonian Network of PLHIV has joined UNAIDS recommendations and appealed to the Estonian Government, paying attention to the following:

  1. HIV services, including access to condoms, opioid substitution therapy, sterile needles and syringes, harm reduction and HIV testing should be available to people living with HIV and at risk of HIV infection.
  2. It is necessary to switch to the full implementation of the medication dispensing for the treatment of HIV infection for a longer period – starting from three months or more.
  3. It is necessary to ensure access to services for representatives of vulnerable groups and remove financial barriers, for example, payment for services – 5 Euros per visit to the doctor.

Result

The Estonian Network of PLHIV has taken over a mission of supporting PLHIV, who have encountered difficulties due to the inability to come back to Estonia, as well as to persons who are in Estonia on working and student visas. Within a month, support was provided for receiving ART to representatives of Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Germany, and Israel.

In 2 months of quarantine, more than 300 clients have used the services.

We offer you to join in order to pay our respects to people died of AIDS and COVID-19.

On World Remembrance Day of AIDS Victims, the Estonian Network of PLHIV addresses the people of Estonia to remind them that the human right to health is the basic right of each of us. Join us:

  1. Light a memorial candle on a terrace, a balcony, in a garden or wherever you want
  2. Remember and pray for relatives, friends, acquaintances, who have died from AIDS or COVID-19
  3. Share your memory and photo with us on social networks and do not forget to tag us #ehpv or @EHPV – Eesti HIV-positiivsete võrgustik