HIV Testing in Odessa: Results and Achievements
From November 25 to 29, 2024, healthcare institutions in Odessa participated in the European HIV Testing Week as part of the initiative 'HIV in Europe.'
Supported by the Department of Health of the Odessa City Council, the City Center for HIV Prevention and Treatment, and the Odessa City Health Center, free and confidential testing was provided to all interested individuals.
Rapid tests were used for the examinations, allowing individuals to know their HIV status within 15 minutes. The purchase of these rapid tests is funded by the Odessa city budget under the 'Health' targeted program.
During the European HIV Testing Week, a total of 1,192 individuals were tested, resulting in 8 positive cases identified.
Patients with positive results were referred to the City AIDS Center for confirmation of diagnosis, staging of the disease, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy.
Modern antiretroviral medications provided free of charge to patients minimize viral load in the bloodstream.
Currently, Odessa has achieved remarkable success in HIV treatment, with 96% of HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy showing undetectable viral loads. This prevents disease progression and the onset of AIDS symptoms, allowing HIV-positive individuals to lead long, fulfilling lives without posing a risk to their partners and to have healthy children.
The results achieved in HIV detection and treatment demonstrate the successful implementation of the global Fast Track Cities initiative, to which Odessa joined by signing the Paris Declaration by Mayor Gennady Trukhanov.
Odessa's efforts in combating HIV have received high recognition and acclaim on a global scale.
