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PRNewswire - September 23, 2004
Ukraine is the country the most affected by HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe. According to the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, approximately 1% of the total population of 48 million is living with HIV/AIDS, and the epidemic is growing quickly, especially among people between the ages of 20 and 39.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Government has taken active steps to implement an integrated prevention, care and treatment strategy. The country launched a program to scale up antiretroviral treatment in August 2004, and by October 2004 the Government expects 2100 people to be on treatment. According to Ministry of Health data, at least 4000 people currently need treatment. With access to drastically reduced prices for antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and diagnostic tests under the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Government is better positioned to meet the total need and effectively combat the spread of the epidemic.
Elena Franchuk the founder of the "ANTI-AIDS" Foundation said: "The high cost of ARV's (antiretroviral drugs) are the main obstacle to expanding national prevention and treatment programs for people living with HIV/AIDS. The opportunity to treat more patients for the same amount of money provides hope for many people, who haven't had access to the ARV-treatment. Ukraine is the most affected country in Eastern Europe by HIV/AIDS. According to Ministry of Health data, at least 4000 people currently need treatment. We must do everything possible to save lives of those that can be saved and provide access to high-quality care and treatment."
The prices for ARVs negotiated by the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative are one- third to one-half of the lowest price otherwise, training, reagents and maintenance and are up to 80% cheaper than otherwise available on the market. At first, the deals were available in the 16 countries in the Caribbean and Africa in which the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative is active. Subsequent agreements with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the World Bank; WHO; UNICEF; and the International Dispensary Association (IDA) extended eligibility to many more countries throughout the developing world where these institutions are engaged in the battle against HIV/AIDS. To date, more than 20 countries have purchased drugs or diagnostics at the reduced prices.
After signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, Andrei Pidaev, Minister of Health, announced that the budget for the purchase of ARVs in 2005 has been doubled. He said, "With these increased funds and membership in the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative Procurement Consortium, the Government of Ukraine can purchase larger quantities of ARVs and expand access to care and treatment throughout the country. We have been working hard to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but today, we've added an important new component to our effort that will help us move closer to victory."
Speaking on behalf of the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, Jennifer A. Lissfelt, Regional Manager, said, "We are very pleased to enter into this partnership with Ukraine, and are impressed by the commitment and efforts already under way here. Ukraine is at a critical juncture in the spread of HIV/AIDS, and with this partnership, the government is demonstrating its determination to contain the epidemic and to provide high-quality care and treatment to those infected. We look forward to working with the Ministry of Health and their other partners to combat HIV/AIDS."
The Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative is at work helping countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean dramatically increase the number of people with HIV/AIDS receiving high-quality care and treatment. It assists governments in developing operational plans for integrating care and treatment into public health systems. Implementation support in program management, monitoring and evaluation, training, and procurement planning is also provided. Additionally, the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative is working to change the economics of HIV/AIDS care and treatment. The first agreements it brokered in late 2003 and early 2004 have dramatically reduced the prices of ARVs and AIDS diagnostics. For more information about the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation and its HIV/AIDS Initiative, please visit: http://www.clintonfoundation.org.
SOURCE Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative; Health of Ukraine; Elena Franchuk of
Web Site: http://www.clintonfoundation.org
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