Successful HIV Testing Campaign in Odesa
From November 25 to 29, 2024, healthcare facilities in Odesa participated in the European HIV Testing Week as part of the «HIV in Europe» initiative.
With support from the Department of Health of the Odesa City Council, the City Center for HIV Prevention and Control, and the Odesa City Health Center, free voluntary confidential HIV testing was organized for all interested individuals.
Rapid tests were utilized, allowing HIV status to be determined within 15 minutes. The procurement of these rapid tests is funded by the Odesa city budget through the “Health” program.
As a result of the European HIV Testing Week, 1192 individuals were tested, resulting in 8 people receiving positive HIV test results.
Patients with positive results were referred to the City AIDS Center for confirmation of their diagnosis, staging of the disease, and medical supervision to ensure the prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy.
Modern antiretroviral medications provided free of charge at the City AIDS Center significantly reduce viral load in the blood.
Currently, Odesa boasts a high treatment success rate, with 96% of HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy achieving an undetectable viral load. This prevents disease progression and allows individuals with HIV to live long, fulfilling lives without posing a risk to partners and to have healthy children.
The results achieved in HIV detection and treatment reflect the successful implementation of the global Fast Track Cities initiative, which Odesa joined by signing the Paris Declaration.
The efforts of Odesa in combating HIV have received international recognition.
