Due to the effective work of the National TB and HIV Council, Ukraine has made significant progress in curbing the epidemic of these diseases. This was stated by Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Rozenko at the 22nd International AIDS Conference 2018 in Amsterdam.

He stressed that Ukraine, despite the difficult economic and political situation, connected primarily with Russian military aggression that ended with a temporary loss of control over part of the country's territory, shows that positive changes in containing the HIV/AIDS epidemic are possible.

"We are proud that we have managed to significantly extend the antiretroviral therapy coverage, implement comprehensive prevention programs for key population groups, and implement the largest and most powerful substitution supportive therapy program in the region of Eastern Europe and Central Asia", said the Vice Prime Minister. "This year, the Government has taken an unprecedented decision to increase the national financing for the HIV treatment program by 140%, and for another 140% for the treatment of tuberculosis. This step and the active involvement of international donors allowed us to nearly double the number of patients receiving antiretroviral drugs that save lives. And this is the main prerequisite to succeed in the 90-90-90 strategy implementation."

According to Pavlo Rosenko, Ukraine has made significant progress due to the effective work of the National Coordinating Mechanism - the National TB and HIV Council, due to proper attention and support by the Government of relevant programs and initiatives, the well balanced participation of all interested state and non-state actors, including law enforcement, public health and civil society institutions, including representatives of concerned communities.

"It is just the Government's willingness to pay the necessary attention to the National Coordinating Mechanism and the dialogue of all shareholders, that send a clear political message throughout the entrie vertical of power, including local self-government bodies", stressed the Vice Prime Minister.