ART delivery to HIV-positive people

The life and health of HIV-positive clients is our main concern. As soon as quarantine was announced, our clients found themselves in a difficult situation, we, together with the infectious disease doctors, quickly adapted and still help people. It is convenient for clients to receive medications immediately for a month, and for us - to send them by postal services. Everyone is happy!
Valeria Gorbacheva Social Worker of the HealthLink project, NGO ‘Return to Life’ (Kirovohrad Region)

Task

Under quarantine, a large number of people with HIV-positive status find themselves in a situation where they do not have access to the vitally important antiretroviral therapy. It is an integral part of providing complex care for people living with HIV. Everyone who takes ART understands that because of this, their immunity retains their functions, their quality of life is maintained and improved, and treatment should not be interrupted in any case. Due to restrictions in the work of transport during quarantine measures for HIV-positive people, especially those living in remote settlements, it became impossible to visit health facilities to receive the necessary dose of the medications and, in fact, there was a threat of treatment interruption for an unlimited period.

Solution

Within the framework of the HealthLink project ‘Accelerating efforts to resist HIV/AIDS in Ukraine’, which is implemented by the Alliance for Public Health  in partnership with the All-Ukrainian Network of PLHIV, with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with project team of GO ‘Return to life’(Kirovograd region) and GO ‘Synergy of souls’ (Dnipropetrovsk region) arranged delivery of medications for HIV-positive people using mail services, company and private cars of organizations and project employees. Vital medications are given to HIV-positive residents of Kropyvnytsky, Znamenka, Alexandria (Kirovograd region) and Dnipro.

Result

Despite quarantine, thanks to the efforts of the large and friendly team of the HealthLink project, HIV-positive patients continue to receive medications on time and do not interrupt treatment. Social workers regularly keep in touch with doctors and patients to provide comprehensive care.

GO ‘Return to Life’ and GO ‘Synergy of Souls’ with the support of ICF “Alliance for Public Health”