Ukrainians face a total crisis of HIV transmission and treatment

Ukrainians infected with HIV have reported that thousands of people may soon die due to a shortage of medications for the virus.

Activists organized a protest. 'We urge the Prime Minister and the Ukrainian government to prevent this catastrophe', said protest coordinator Volodymyr Zovtiak in a statement.

According to the protesters, the medications used for 30,000 HIV-positive people will run out in just three weeks.

The activists link this problem to a law passed last year. It allows medication suppliers to receive full prepayment for treatment, while delivering the products within a period of up to six months.

The controversial government decision was caused by the necessity of funds allocated in the budget for specific programs, activists believe.

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Health Minister Alexander Kvitashvili stated at a cabinet meeting that he is aware of the problem and is working with international humanitarian organizations to prevent a total crisis.

'We have medications until the end of June, - said Kvitashvili. - The delivery date (of the medication) is June 19'

The World Health Organization reported that Ukraine is currently experiencing the worst HIV epidemic in Europe.

Ukraine's own statistics showed 124,000 HIV-positive people registered for treatment. As of April 1, health authorities identified 4,563 new cases in the first four months of the year.

Health officials fear that the situation may only worsen as the transmission of the disease has shifted from the gay community and intravenous drug users to the general public.

The World Health Organization stated that 57 percent of HIV infections last year entered the bodies of people through unprotected sex. Drug use accounted for only a quarter of cases - a relatively low number.

'This is not just a risk - it is a fact of life, - said representative of the International Alliance for HIV/AIDS in Ukraine Pavel Skala. - We are facing how thousands of people are losing access to treatment, and all the responsibility lies with the Ministry of Health'.

Minister Kvitashvili, in turn, blamed the impending shortage of HIV treatment on Ukraine's main supplier - a private company he did not want to name publicly.

'Even though the medications can be obtained (for distribution) within 10 days, the company that signed the contract with the ministry refuses to communicate with us,' Kvitashvili said.