Тестирование на ВИЧ и поддержка бездомных людей

"It is common situation that homeless people do not have identity documents making it difficult to confirm HIV diagnosis and to receive follow-up treatment. One of the main project tasks is to help those, who are HIV-positive, to reach heath facilities and to receive treatment, as well as to restore documents in the future".
Vera Ilyenkova UNAIDS Coordinator in Belarus
«Before the coronavirus epidemic in Minsk, there were about 11 shelters in which the homeless could get clean clothes, wash, eat and sleep over. Now there are only three of them left. We know that some of homelesspeople are HIV-positive, but due to absence of documents and permanent residence, they cannot confirm the diagnosis and do not receive treatment. Therefore, it is important for us to provide all kinds of support to such people, especially now»
Karina Radchenko Volunteer of Street Medicine, the country's first initiative for homeless people

Problem

Due to the pandemic of the coronavirus infection COVID-19, many of the homeless people lost regular support, and adequate access to medical services, which were difficult to get at the usual time, became practically impossible. The high level of stigma and discrimination in the terms of which they live increases the risk of contracting not only COVID-19, but also tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis and other diseases.

Solution

The UNAIDS office in Belarus, together with the Street Medicine volunteer initiative, the HIV service organization Positive Movement, and the Ministry of Health launched a project to provide HIV testing and support for the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Working on the streets, project volunteers not only provide means of prevention, carry out HIV testing, but also provide first aid, do dressings, hand out over-the-counter medication, hygiene products, advise and refer for treatment. Along with testing and distribution of condoms, a survey is being conducted, thanks to which it is planned to identify possible ways of transmission of HIV infection and to identify basic needs and barriers to get services and treatment.

Result

It is planned to test about 200 people only in Minsk in the first phase of project.