Summing up in October: round tables.
On the 26th of October in Vinnitsa was held a roundtable with representatives of civil society and authorities dedicated to adoption of the Regional HIV/AIDS program, and state development of the program on combating of drug addiction for 2015-2020.
The event was attended by activists of the most vulnerable groups, leaders and staff of specialized medical institutions, representatives of NGOs.
The main points of the meeting:
– Reducing the number of primary cases of HIV infections among IDUs who closely related to harm reduction programs and the need for the fastest approval of the regional program to fight HIV/AIDS;
– Has developed a draft regional program against drug abuse for 2015-2020, which included the purchase of drugs and syringes for OST and harm reduction programs;
– OST patients have expressed hope for support from the local authorities concerning financing of harm reduction programs because the Global Fund has cut financing of programs for vulnerable groups;
– Was emphasized economic and social expediency the prescription issuing of OST.
During a lively discussion participants decided:
1. To instruct the chief physician of the regional narcological dispensary monitoring over the implementation of the order number 494 the Ministry of Health concerning on settlement prescription issuing of OST.
2. If necessary, attach activists of vulnerable communities to approval process of regional advocacy programs.
20 October at Sumy Press Club was held a round table, which was dedicated the problem of injecting drug use and alcohol abuse by parents as one of the factors hitting families in difficult life circumstances. The participants shared their experience in providing social services to families who turned in difficult life circumstances in the context of chemical dependence and stressed on the great relevance of this issue.
The event was attended IDU’s community activists, employees of HIV service organizations, medical professionals, journalists, employees of social services.
According to the results of the meeting participants decided:
– Conclude a joint action plan and implement measures to support families who have turned in difficult life circumstances through the use of drugs and / or alcohol.
– To implement of work involve the community representatives of former IDUs bruise as practice of work by a technique peer-to-peer in context is changing of risk behavior.
– Promote the implementation of program for social order in the region to work with people who have a chemical dependency (IDUs and persons who abuse alcohol).
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, Vinnitsa, Cherkasy, Kirovograd, Sumy), with the financial support of ACO “All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH” and ICF “International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine”.
