We inform you that on the 31st of March at the premises of the Odessa Regional State Administration hosted a roundtable with representatives of civil society and authorities which was dedicated to development the regional Strategy of transitional period regarding harm reduction programs, HIV prevention, substitution therapy programs for vulnerable communities in Odessa region.
At he event attended by representatives of of state structures, specialized health facilities, activists of vulnerable communities and NGOs professionals.
During the roundtable, the regional coordinator of NGO “Gay-alliance” in Odessa region by Olena Gribova has been informed the participants about the work of our advocacy project in the region and was presented by advocacy work plan for 2016. Olena Gribova has presented a draft of the National strategy for sustainable response to TB epidemic, including chemo-resistant, and HIV infection / AIDS for the period until 2020 and an action plan for implementation of the Strategy.
Chairman of the Veselka Foundation Mykola Podolyan informed the participants about problematic aspects in implementation of OST programs in Odessa and Odessa region, namely: closure of two OSTsites, lack of OST prescription forms, lack of funding from local budgets of methadone, lack of order about OST continuity and a shortage of qualified narcologists on the OST sites.
Head of Odessa Charity Fund “The Way Home” Natalia Kitsenko informed the participants about beginning of work a new program “Belgorod-Dniester humanitarian initiative” on overcoming of HIV/AIDS among key populations, which is being implemented with assistance of USAID program «HIV Reform in Action” and about its a possible cooperation with Odesa Regional Council Communities.
As a result of lively discussion and debates the roundtable participants has decided:
1. From among the participants of the meeting to form a working group on forming the Strategy of transition period regarding harm reduction programs, HIV prevention, substitution therapy programs for vulnerable communities in the Odessa region. The first meeting of working group will be held during two weeks.
2. To consider in the Strategy of transitional period for Odessa region:
– Measures to tackle the problems of OST programs in Odessa and Odessa region;
– Measures that will contribute the project implementation in Belgorod-Dniester city.
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 (Odesa, Kherson, Vinnitsa, Cherkasy, Kirovograd), with the financial support of ACO “All-Ukrainian Network of PLWH” and ICF “Alliance for Public Health”.
The Regional Council of communities (RCC) – a consultative and advisory body that includes leaders and activists of the most groups vulnerable to HIV, which aims to significantly strengthen the capacity of communities through joint advocacy actions, including to increase access to medical and social services to vulnerable communities in the region.
