Pact to host session on HIV care amid the war in Ukraine at 26th International AIDS Conference

On Tuesday, July 28, Pact will host a satellite session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as part of the 26th International AIDS Conference. The session will focus on how partners have consolidated public sector and civil society efforts to ensure access to lifesaving HIV testing and linkage to care during the ongoing war in Ukraine. 

Ukraine has one of Eastern Europe's highest HIV burdens, with over 250,000 people living with HIV. Russia's full-scale war has severely damaged the health system. More than 2,550 facilities have been damaged or destroyed, workforce shortages have intensified, and ongoing security threats make reaching care dangerous or impossible. Approximately 10 million people have been displaced, and safety often takes priority over health among the most vulnerable. 

Despite these challenges, Ukraine's government has remained committed to HIV epidemic control, and NGO frontline workers have played a critical role in maintaining continuity of care. Pact’s satellite session will examine barriers to HIV service delivery in armed conflict. Implementers will present interventions proven effective in engaging vulnerable populations in testing and care, and discuss how public sector and civil society collaboration has ensured continuity across the HIV care continuum.

Speakers during the session will include representatives from Pact, the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, PATH, The Global Fund, and Ukrainian organizations The Alliance for Public Health, 100% Life, and CO “Positive Women.”

In addition to this year’s satellite session, Pact staff from Ukraine, Tanzania, and the United States will convene in Rio de Janeiro with other leaders and advocates in the global health community, people living with HIV, researchers, policy makers, health care professionals, funders, and communities at this crucial time for the global HIV response.  

Pact staff will present three posters during the conference:

Pact’s Esther Ndyetabura will present, “The Power of Early Childhood Development in Addressing Developmental Inequities Among Children 0-3 Years Affected by HIV in Tanzania.” Co-authors Amon Exavery, Asheri Barankena, John Charles, Erica Kuhlik, Tom Ventimiglia, and Levina Kikoyo. Location: Poster Exhibition, Track D: Social and Behavioral Sciences. Poster code: TUPED304.

Pact’s Yaryna Kovalchuk will present, "When services exist but remain difficult to navigate: Redesigning access to NGO based HIV testing in Ukraine." Co-authors Daryna Schevchuk, Olga Petrash, and Shirley Ko. Location: Poster Exhibition, Track E: Implementation Science, Economics, Systems and Synergies. Poster code: THPEE455.

Pact’s Oksana Shcherba will present, "Engaging war veterans in community-based HIV testing in Ukraine." Co-authors: Olena Vlasiuk, Olga Petrash, and Shirley Ko. Location: Poster Exhibition, Track E: Implementation Science, Economics, Systems and Synergies. Poster code: THPEE456.

To learn more about the program for the 26th International AIDS Conference, please visit the official conference website.