The Aurora Day Centre in Helsinki, Finland was founded in December 2000 in response to a sharp increase of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs. The centre had an immediate impact and dramatically increased the number of people linked to treatment and care.

During a visit to Helsinki the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, met with staff at the centre to learn how their services are supporting people in the city.

According to Day Centre staff, prior to the opening 53% of people who inject drugs who were living with HIV were retained in care—by 2014, 90% were retained in care and accessing antiretroviral therapy.  

The number of people who inject drugs who were newly infected with HIV was reduced by half between 2007 and 2016 in Finland – source ECDC

The main aim of the centre is to prevent new HIV infections among people who inject drugs and to provide harm reduction services including opioid substation therapy. The centre currently has around 77 clients, with an average age of 50 years old. Many became infected with HIV before harm reduction services became available in Finland.

“The good thing for me is that the clinic is always here,” said Leila, who uses the services at the centre.

People over 50 years of age account for more than 20% of new HIV diagnosis in Finland. – source HIV point

The centre provides holistic support including medical treatment, health guidance, food and mental and social support.

“By bringing the services to the community and adopting a multidisciplinary approach we have shown that we can successfully reach people who inject drugs who are living with HIV,” said Matti Ristola, Head of HIV Services at the Aurora Day Centre.

2015 was the first year with no AIDS deaths in Finland – source HIV point

“The Aurora Centre in Helsinki is living proof that it is possible to reach 90-90-90 and zero new infections among people who inject drugs when there is political commitment and community engagement,” said Mr Sidibé.

Finland’s Eastern neighbour, Russia, has the third largest number of annual new HIV infections in the world. The proximity between Helsinki and St. Petersburg means that people move easily between the two cities.

There are less than 200 new HIV diagnoses annually in Finland – source HIV point

The visit to the Aurora Day Centre took place in the context of a series of meetings with Finnish decision-makers and politicians. Earlier in the day, Mr Sidibé met Anne-Mari Virolainen, the Minister of Foreign Trade, Annika Saarikko, the Minister of Family and Social Services, Finnish parliamentarians and civil society organizations.