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Ukrainians Share Their Stories of Living with HIV: A National Campaign Expands Access to Information and Free Treatment Services

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HIV & AIDS
November 26, 2025

Ukrainians Share Their Stories of Living with HIV: A National Campaign Expands Access to Information and Free Treatment Services

Ukraine’s participation in European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week 2025 (November 17–23) provided an important opportunity to reinforce a core message: even during wartime, people living with HIV in Ukraine can access diagnosis, prevention, and treatment services free of charge.

To support this effort, the Center for Public Health of Ukraine (CPH) launched a new national communication campaign developed with support from the US-funded Safe, Affordable, and Effective Medicines for Ukrainians (SAFEMed) Activity, implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH). The campaign helps ensure that people across the country—including those displaced within Ukraine and those temporarily living abroad—know where and how to receive HIV-related services.

The multi-video series was released during Testing Week and disseminated through CPH’s social media channels, regional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local NGOs, and healthcare facilities in 12 regions. Videos were also displayed in patient waiting areas to extend reach among high-priority audiences.

At the center of the campaign are brief, clear messages from Ukrainians who have navigated HIV diagnosis and treatment. Their stories emphasize the importance of early testing and highlight the availability of free, reliable services nationwide.

“I take my medication regularly. It’s free and easily available. My condition has improved, and the virus is suppressed,” shares Svitlana, featured in one of the videos.

Strengthening Awareness and Reducing Barriers to Care

The video series covers HIV testing, prevention, and antiretroviral therapy, as well as viral hepatitis and tuberculosis. Each video provides accurate information on how to seek services, corrects common misconceptions, and reinforces consistent national messages to reduce stigma and encourage early engagement in care.

By pairing expert guidance from CPH specialists with real patient experiences, the campaign helps increase the visibility of available services and supports more timely health-seeking behaviors.

Ensuring Access to Treatment Across Ukraine

HIV prevention and treatment services remain available in every region of Ukraine, supported by the Government of Ukraine and international partners.

Through SAFEMed, MSH works with the Ministry of Health and CPH to maintain continuity of treatment, including through a last-mile distribution model that delivers essential HIV and tuberculosis medicines directly to health facilities. Between 2021–2025, more than UAH 280 million (USD 8.3 million) in medicines reached hospitals across 10 regions through this approach, helping ensure uninterrupted access to care throughout the full-scale war.

A Coordinated Effort to Strengthen Health Systems and Public Awareness

The campaign demonstrates Ukraine’s continued commitment to public health and highlights the role of coordinated communication in connecting people with essential services.

MSH’s support through SAFEMed reflects our broader mission: strengthening the systems that enable equitable access to health care, improving the availability of quality-assured medicines, and ensuring that reliable information reaches the people who need it.

By partnering with CPH to design and disseminate this campaign, SAFEMed is helping expand access to trusted information and reinforcing the systems that sustain HIV, TB, and hepatitis services across Ukraine.

Watch the videos with English subtitles:

Ukraine joined European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week 2025 (Nov 17–23) to promote early HIV testing and access to free treatment. This video—developed by the Center for Public Health (CPH) with support from US-funded SAFEMed Activity, implemented by MSH—explains when and how to get tested, what to expect, and where Ukrainians can access free HIV diagnostic and treatment services. Grounded in real patient stories, the video shows how early testing saves lives, reduces fear, and connects people to care. During Testing Week, it was shared widely by CPH, regional CDCs, NGOs, and health facilities across 12 regions.
As part of European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week 2025 (Nov 17–23), Ukraine’s Center for Public Health (CPH) released this HIV prevention video with support from the US-funded SAFEMed Activity, implemented by MSH. It explains how HIV is transmitted, how prevention works, and where Ukrainians can access free prevention and treatment services, including testing, PrEP, and counseling. Featuring real stories and expert guidance, the video highlights practical steps to stay protected and reduce stigma. Regional health centers, NGOs, and clinics shared it widely throughout Testing Week.
This HIV treatment video was produced by the Center for Public Health of Ukraine (CPH) with support from the US-funded SAFEMed Activity, implemented by MSH. It explains how antiretroviral therapy (ART) works, why early treatment matters, and where Ukrainians can access free HIV treatment and ongoing care in every region of the country. Grounded in real patient experiences and expert guidance, the video aims to reduce stigma, support adherence, and ensure people know how to stay on effective treatment.
This tuberculosis awareness video was produced by the Center for Public Health of Ukraine (CPH) with support from the US-funded SAFEMed Activity, implemented by MSH. It addresses common myths about TB, explains early symptoms, and outlines where Ukrainians can access free TB diagnosis and treatment across the country. Released ahead of European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week 2025, the video quickly gained strong engagement and was shared by regional CDCs, NGOs, and health facilities nationwide.
Released during European HIV-Hepatitis Testing Week 2025, this video—created by the Center for Public Health (CPH) with support from the US-funded SAFEMed Activity, implemented by MSH—explains the basics of viral hepatitis, symptoms to watch for, when to get tested, and where Ukrainians can access free hepatitis diagnostic and treatment services. Through real patient stories and expert insights, the video highlights the importance of early detection and timely care. Shared by regional CDCs, NGOs, and health facilities across the country, it aims to increase awareness and encourage testing.

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