Nine demands for reaching universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support for HIV in Europe and Central Asia

In March the Regional Consultation on Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support in Europe and Central Asia and WHO/UNAIDS Regional Consultation took place in Kiev, Ukraine. The purpose of the Universal Access Consultation was to review the progress of Universal Access in the region and set a Universal Access Agenda till 2015 and 2020. As an outcome of the regional consultation, civil society networks EHRN, ECUO, EATG and ITPCru, put forward 9 demands that cover key actions essential for reaching universal access.

1. We demand that HIV/AIDS funding be framed as a vital investment into the national economies, lives and wellbeing of future generations;
2. We demand that venues for the PLWH and key populations be guaranteed to directly influence the development, implementation and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs, as well as the process of setting HIV/AIDS funding priorities;
3. We demand that all barriers that restrict access of people who use drugs to a comprehensive package of prevention and treatment interventions, including opioid substitution therapy and harm reduction programs, be immediately removed;
4. We demand that programs of integrated treatment for HIV, tuberculosis, drug addiction and viral hepatitis be established;
5. We demand that antiretroviral therapy (ART) be considered both as an effective HIV treatment and HIV prevention intervention;
6. We demand efficient, uninterrupted and transparent ART procurement and supply;
7. We demand lower prices for ART drugs and for viral hepatitis treatment;
8. We demand one hundred percent coverage with ART;
9. We demand that commitments to protect the right to life be acted on immediately by taking real actions and by funding appropriate HIV response.

Download the pdf file to see the official Civil Society statement, available in English and Russian.