In Ukraine, 9,653 new cases of HIV infection were detected in nine months of 2024, of which every fourth was diagnosed at the stage of AIDS. According to the Ministry of Health, 137,000 people with confirmed HIV status are registered in medical institutions.
According to official data, 899 people died of AIDS in 2024. However, the Ministry of Health emphasizes that early detection of HIV prevents the progression of the disease.
You can take the test:
- at the family doctor;
- in medical institutions;
- in partner organizations that provide rapid tests.
Rapid tests are confidential, free of charge, and provide results within 15 to 30 minutes.
A positive HIV test is no longer a sentence. Thanks to antiretroviral therapy (ARV therapy), patients can fully control the virus and live a full life.
ARV therapy allows to achieve a low level of viral load (less than 40 copies of RNA/ml). With stable medication for six months, HIV becomes undetectable and is not transmitted to others.
Today, 118,700 Ukrainians already receive ARV therapy free of charge. However, for the treatment to remain effective, it must be taken systematically.
The Ministry of Health urges Ukrainians to know their HIV status, because timely diagnosis can avoid the transition of the infection to the AIDS stage. People who receive therapy can start families, give birth to healthy children and live without limitations.
The availability of treatment and testing in Ukraine opens up new opportunities for fighting the epidemic. However, the task of raising public awareness and strengthening the prevention system remains urgent.
