Supporting advocacy activities and providing regional consultations towards UHC advancement

Why do we initiate such a project? 
EECA is one of 3 regions globally  where new HIV infections have risen since 2010. The annual number of new HIV infections increased by an estimated 72% from 2010 to 2019, making it the fastest-growing epidemic globally. At the end of 2019, an estimated 1.7 million PHIV in EECA. Four countries (Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Ukraine, Uzbekistan) report 92% of all new registered HIV cases in the region according to published case reports from 15 of 16 countries. In 2022, 94% of new HIV infections were among people from key populations and their sex partners.

Moreover the knowledge of HIV status is not insufficient overall; ART coverage and viral suppression among all PLHIV in the EECA region are inadequate. At the same time adequate community-based testing and counselling or lay provider testing are lacking in most countries in the region, as is ART provision in community settings. However, most countries in the region now have national policies on routine viral load testing for adults and adolescents offers some cause for optimism. Also this region is off track to reach the targets to end AIDS by 2030.

Which countries are covered? 
Within this project we cover Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Moldova.

What are the main objectives?
1️⃣ Maintaining the work of an information communication platform to support advocacy activities of organizations and leaders representing HIV-vulnerable communities, other marginalized and vulnerable groups of the population in activities around the UHC concept.
2️⃣ Regional consultation led by organizations and leaders representing communities vulnerable to HIV on the prospects of expanding the implementation of UHC principles into national health systems in the EECA region.

Who will benefit?
Most and first of all the people living with HIV will benefit from those activities.

What results are expected?
✔️ Institutionally stronger inadequately served populations (hereinafter ISP) and civil society networks and consortia
✔️ Improved and sustainable advocacy capacity for ISP and civil society networks and consortia
✔️ More enabling rights-affirming social, policy and legal environment for ISPs
✔️ More accessible, right-based, quality HIV services and programs for ISPs
✔️ Resources made available and spent properly to create better conditions for ISPs with regards to HIV and human rights

With whom do we cooperate?
The members of the ‘Positive Universe’ consortium have come together based on our shared goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage  that meets everyone’s needs. We are united in our belief that the way forward for the dignity, health and well-being of people living with HIV in all their diversity lies in identifying and addressing the barriers to accountable, effective and non-discriminatory healthcare.

Consortium consists of:

• Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)
• Central Asian Association of People Living with HIV (CAA+)
• Middle East and North Africa Network of People Living with HIV (MENA+)
• Network of African People Living with HIV West Africa (NAP+WA)

At the same time for better coordination and efforts synergy the activities within this project are agreed and reinforced through related interventions by institutions such as UNAIDS and WHO.