On the 4th of August in Vinnytsia Regional Narcological Dispensary “Sociotherapy” was held a round table on implementation of the program counter drug abuse in the region, as well as the need to implement a mechanism of substitution maintenance therapy through a network of family doctors in Vinnytsia.
The event was attended by chief doctors of Regional narcological dispensary and the AIDS center, workers of medical institutions, activists of the most vulnerable to HIV groups, and representatives of NGOs.
At the round table the participants was emphasized that thanks to the work of harm reduction programs among IDUs was possible to achieve reducing the number of cases of primary HIV infection of already implemented activities in the framework of counteraction to drug abuse, establishing of effective partnerships with the Department of Education and Ministry of Internal Affairs under the program.
The Regional Coordinator of the NGO “Gay Alliance” in Vinnitsa region Tatiana Nikelsen spoke about economic and social benefits the mechanism of receiving OST through a network of family doctors. Were provided calculations of economic effectiveness of implementation this method to provide treatment of OST.
The activists vulnerable group of OST / IDU on its own example proved need to implement OST through a network of family doctors as an effective factor that will facilitate the re-socialization of OST patients.
As a result of the discussion, the participants decided:
1. Hold a working meeting with the head of the city department of Health for the joint development of the above mechanism for OST in medical institutions of Vinnitsa City and involve community representatives IDU/OST to advocacy process.
2. The regional coordinator the NGO “Gay-alliance” to conduct monitoring allocation of funds for implementation activities the regional program of counteraction to drug abuse, under the program “Health of the Nation”.
For reference:
Work on capacity building and capability of vulnerable communities implemented by NGO “Gay-alliance” in the direction “Social mobilization, strengthening of ties, cooperation and coordination” among vulnerable groups IDU/OST, sex workers, MSM, former prisoners in 5 regions of Ukraine (Lviv, Vinnytsa, Cherkasy, Kirovograd, Sumy), with the financial support of ACO “All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH” and ICF “International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine”.
