Over 150,000 people are now infected with HIV in Ukraine, with 15% of them being children, the Ministry for Family, Youth and Sports of Ukraine reported on Friday.
According to Tetiana Kondratiuk, the deputy minister of Ukraine for
family, youth and sports, the most vulnerable age group for the spread
of the infection is those aged 15-24.
“We should jointly protect our youth from this problem. And not only
state establishments, but also parents should work every day so that we
don’t set HIV statistical records. Dear parents, speak with your
children more often. Tell children what he or she should know, as they
grow older. Do this before he or she learns this in a hospital, having
been diagnosed as HIV positive,” Kondratiuk explained.
According to her, in the next five years the ministry plans to
increase the range of measures aimed at cutting HIV’s spread in
Ukraine. Thus, it is planned to form corresponding centers where all
members of the public will be able to receive medical advice or social
aid.
Also, various training programs are foreseen to help people infected
with HIV cope in society, as well as educational programs for social
workers and volunteers to develop their skills in helping patients.
“2008 was a crucial year in the question of the adoption of children
infected with HIV. Today 20 children infected with HIV have been placed
in Ukrainian families,” Kondratiuk said.
