What we do

1. We advocate equal access of PLHIV to medical and social services available in Leningradskaya oblast and high quality of these services.

  • We draft requests to regional authorities asking for participation of regional and municipal social support agencies in support of HIV+ females residing in Leningradskaya oblast and calling for equal participation of NPOs in decision making.
  • We gather and analyze data on availability and implementation of HIV prevention programmes and on social support to PLHIV available on regional and municipal level.
  • We carried out educational activities for medical workers of Saint-Petersburg and Leningradskaya and Riazanskaya oblasts on patient rights and Russian legislation with respect to HIV.
  • We monitored for observance of rights of HIV+ patients and drug users on the territory of Leningradskaya oblast.
  • We conducted policy dialogs (roundtables) with regional and municipal authorities on observance of patient rights and ensuring access of PLHIV to medical and social services. Roundtables were conducted in 7 municipal territories of Leningradskaya oblast.

2. We promote activism among PLHIV and access of PLHIV to decision making and assessment of HIV/AIDS prevention programmes

  • We train activists to participate in the system of non-medical services to PLHIV and implement positive prevention.
  • We conducted human rights trainings for PLHIV in Moscow, Leningradskaya, Kostromskaya, and Riazanskaya oblasts.
  • We organized “Do Everybody Have Equal Rights?”  public campaign

3. We develop socio-psychologic support services for HIV+ MSM

  • We are supporting a virtual community of HIV+ MSM (www.gayplus.ru)
  • We deliver peer consulting to HIV+ MSM.
  • We were among the first to publish an informational leaflets about life with HIV prepared especially for HIV+ MSM.
  • We trained activists from HIV+ MSM community.
  • We train specialists of state agencies and NPOs to work with HIV+ MSM.

4.    We develop non-medical services to PLHIV residing in NWR territories.  We help advance professional qualification of NPOs in non-medical services rendering (with application of foreign experience).

  • We publish manuals and informational materials on development of non- medical services based on foreign experience. In 2011, we plan to publish a handbook summarizing success stories from different countries on development and organization of non-medical services. The handbook will be distributed among PLHIV of the Baltic region and state bodies that are dealing in any capacity with PLHIV issues.
  • We educate delegates of AIDS-service NPOs and socio-medical health institutions of NWR territories on rendering non medical services to PLHIV. In 2011, we educated representatives of 9 territories through our in-house developed training.
  • We educate staff of social services of Leningradskaya oblast on core skills required for work with PLHIV.
  • In Vyborgski territory of Leningradskaya oblast, we develop model of social support of HIV+ females and female drug users.

 

In 2008-2010 with support from Russian Health Care Foundation we were engaged in direct services to PLHIV. We delivered peer consulting and seminars and training for PLHIV, distributed informational materials and provided support to a self-help group.

In 2010 we delivered training for 35+ years old PLHIV residing in Leningradskaya oblast. Trainings were organized on the premises of health resorts and attendees were provided with per diem allowances (accommodation and meals expenses) for the entire period. Trainings provided important information and helped develop essential practical skills before starting anti-HIV therapy. Attendees could meet in the evenings and communicate informally. There were people who had never before discussed their HIV related problems. Some attendees made new friend, others even started new families.

 

Вверх