HIV Testing Week in Odesa
From November 25 to 29, 2024, the European HIV Testing Week took place in Odesa as part of the «HIV in Europe» initiative.
With the support of the Odesa City Council's Department of Health, the City Center for HIV Prevention and Control, and the Odesa City Health Center, free and confidential HIV testing was organized in medical facilities for anyone interested.
Rapid tests were used to determine HIV status within 15 minutes. These tests were funded by the Odesa city budget under the “Health” program.
During the testing week, 1,192 individuals were examined, resulting in 8 positive HIV test results.
Patients with positive results were referred to the City AIDS Center for diagnosis confirmation, disease stage assessment, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy.
Modern antiretroviral medications provided for free significantly reduce viral load in patients' blood.
Currently, Odesa has achieved high treatment results with 96% of patients on antiretroviral therapy having an undetectable viral load, allowing them to live long, fulfilling lives without posing a risk to their partners.
These achievements in HIV detection and treatment indicate the successful implementation of the global Fast Track Cities initiative, which Odesa joined by signing the Paris Declaration.
Odesa's efforts in combating HIV have received international recognition.
