Odessa's HIV Testing Week: Achievements and Insights
Last week, from November 25 to 29, 2024, medical facilities 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 Control, and the Odessa City Health Center, free and confidential HIV testing was organized for all interested individuals in the city's medical institutions.
Rapid tests were used for screenings, allowing individuals to know their HIV status within 15 minutes. The procurement of these rapid tests is funded by the Odessa city budget under the “Health” program.
During the European HIV Testing Week, 1192 individuals were tested in Odessa, resulting in 8 positive HIV cases being identified.
Patients who tested positive were referred to the City AIDS Center for diagnosis confirmation, disease staging, and medical supervision to ensure prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy.
Modern antiretroviral medications provided free of charge at the City AIDS Center significantly reduce viral load in patients' blood.
Currently, Odessa has achieved high treatment outcomes for HIV, with 96% of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy having an undetectable viral load. This prevents disease progression and the development of AIDS symptoms, enabling individuals with HIV to lead long, fulfilling lives without posing a risk to their partners and having healthy children.
The results achieved in HIV detection and treatment demonstrate the successful implementation of the global Fast Track Cities initiative, which Odessa joined after Mayor Gennady Trukhanov signed the Paris Declaration.
Odessa's work in combating HIV has received international recognition.
