On the eve of the International Day of Memory of Victims of AIDS Charity Foundation Salus, Lviv Regional Branch of All-Ukrainian Network of PLWHA, CO "Total" organized a press conference. The aim of the press conference was to:
draw public attention to HIV/AIDS;
raise awareness about HIV/AIDS prevalence in Ukraine and in the world;
protect the rights of people living with HIV.
Ms Olena Kovalchuk - head of the project "Lviv open to the world, lions safe for the world", which is being conducted by Salus Foundation, devoted her speech to protection of reproductive rights of PLWHA. She informed about the services provided to HIV-infected persons and HIV discordant couples in the area of their reproductive rights and opportunities. It is no secret, that HIV status often causes restrictions, stigma, discrimination and self-stigma. As a result couples often give up having a child. In the framework of the state pilot project, carrying out according to the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine ¹ 353, HIV discordant couples can obtain free of charge services in the area of assisted reproductive technologies in the Transcarpathian HIV/AIDS center and get a chance for giving birth to a healthy baby.
CF Salus is also carrying on a project "Steps to the Future" dealing with medical and psychosocial support for HIV-positive pregnant women, puerperants and their newborns. For two years over 100 women participated in the project. All children born by them were HIV-negative.
During the press conference representatives of HIV-service organizations talked about services provided by funds to HIV-infected, persons from vulnerable groups, about implementation of new projects, promoted activities of Lviv city NGO’s dedicated to the Day of Memory of Victims of AIDS.
This year Ukraine has acceded to the International movement "Names". Ukrainians covered St. Michael's Square in Kiev with a huge quilt. Such actions deployed in all regions of the country. This quilt is a symbol of mourning for the persons who died of AIDS. Representatives of HIV-service organizations in Lviv region, volunteers, youth have joined the action.
