On September 25-26,the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization convenes in Copenhagen a meeting of leaders of national HIV programs from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and non-EU/EEA countries.
The purpose of this meeting is to support participating countries in the preparation or updating of a comprehensive review of national HIV strategies and action plans.
The meeting is attended by the representatives of the relevant departments of health care services or coordinators of national HIV programs from 23 non-EU / EEA countries, as well as representatives of civil society networks, relevant UN agencies and international partners working to response the HIV epidemic in the Region .
Vladimir Zhovtiak, the President of East Europe and Central Asia Union of PLWH will speak at a panel on “Sustainability of HIV prevention program, treatment and care for key population groups”, where he will inform participants about the situation with access to treatment and its quality in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and will present successful ECUO PLWH advocacy practices implemented in the EECA region.
The program of the meeting discusses prevention measures aimed at increasing of the effectiveness and performance function of HIV response activities in the European Region of the WHO; the expansion of HIV testing and related increased access to treatment; scaling up the treatment of HIV infection and linking to care services in order to improve the perception of treatment; strengthening of HIV surveillance and monitoring should serve as a basis for decision-making; financial sustainability and innovative interventions to accelerate the response in national programs.