New fund for key populations in eastern Europe and central Asia

Sergey (left) first enrolled in an opioid substitution therapy programme in Belarus in 2009. Since then he has found a job, got married and became a father. A 2014 study found that every US$ 1 invested into OST saves around US$ 6 from the consequences of drug dependence, such as crime, unemployment, the provision of antiretroviral therapy and AIDS-related deaths.

Update

New fund for key populations in eastern Europe and central Asia

10 October 2017

The Elton John AIDS Foundation announced on 10 October a new funding initiative for key populations in eastern Europe and central Asia.

The Key Populations Fund for Eastern Europe and Central Asia will focus on prevention and treatment of both HIV and hepatitis C for the people in the region most vulnerable to HIV—people who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men and sex workers. Over the next three years, the fund will aim to reach 20 000 people in the region with prevention, testing and treatment services.

People who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men and sex workers remain disproportionately affected by HIV in eastern Europe and central Asia as they are beyond the reach of many prevention and treatment services. They make up the majority of people living with HIV in the region.

Eastern Europe and central Asia is the only region of the world where both new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are rising. New HIV infections have increased by 60% and AIDS-related deaths by 38% since 2010. Only 27% of people living with HIV in the region had access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy in 2016.

Quotes

“This timely initiative by the Elton John AIDS Foundation focuses on the right people in the right region: key populations in eastern Europe and central Asia.”

Vinay Saldanha Director, UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern Europe and Central Asia