ECOM's Executive Director Vitaly Djuma took part in a series of meetings between WHO and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) from 11 to 15 September. During the meetings, the participants discussed the dissemination of WHO guidelines and the progress of the WHO European Region towards achieving the regional Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on health.
The situation in the region is extremely disturbing. The HIV epidemic in the WHO European Region continues to grow, but exclusively among key populations, including gay men and other MSM, as well as trans people. In addition, all parties involved have very little time left to achieve the SDG targets by 2030, as it was previously stated.
During his speeches, Vitaly spoke about the successes and challenges of implementing PrEP in EECA and shared ECOM’s experience in expanding PrEP programs in the region.
“Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the most effective way to stop the HIV epidemic among gays and trans people. Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Sakartvelo are at the forefront, providing PrEP to 16 thousand community members. Unfortunately, in other countries of the region, PrEP programs are still in the pilot phase,” said Vitaly Dzhuma, Executive Director of ECOM.
Also during discussions about HIV-response barriers, Vitaly identified the main barriers for gay and other MSM communities, as well as for the trans community:
- insufficient funding of community programs;
- both communities' and professionals' low awareness about modern prevention methods;
- stigma and discrimination against the communities.
He also noted that widespread public and state homophobia and transphobia will not only hinder the fight against the HIV epidemic, but will also contribute to its rapid growth. That is why we need to pay special attention to human rights for the communities.
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