EATG urges governments of the Baltic States to take immediate action to prevent the situation regarding HIV/Aids prevention, treatment and care during times of economic crisis to worsen dramatically (Oct 15, 2009)

Open letter to the

Presidents of the Baltic States

Parliaments of the Baltic States

Cc: Members of the European Parliament from the Baltic States

Brussels, 15 October 2009

The European Aids Treatment Group (EATG) urges governments of the Baltic States to take immediate action to prevent the situation regarding HIV/Aids prevention, treatment and care during times of economic crisis to worsen dramatically

We are writing to you to express EATG’s support of a recent call by the “Baltic Positive Network” and to reiterate the need to urgently act upon it.

The current economic crisis risks to dramatically worsen the provision of adequate medical services for people living with HIV/AIDS, putting their health at risk.

The spread of HIV in the Baltic countries may go out of control if the following actions are not implemented:

1. Prevention programmes for high- risk groups (including harm reduction programmes) should become a priority, since HIV prevention costs much less than HIV infection’s treatment and fighting its effects.

2. Treatment of HIV infection should be performed only according to medical indicators, based on the World Health Organization European Region Clinical protocols, since treatment of HIV infection is its best prevention.

3. In order to use effectively the resources available, services provided should be patient- friendly and integrated.

4. In order to financially support prevention, treatment and care programmes for people living with HIV/AIDS, International structures and foundations should be requested, since the States’ resources are cut down.

5. Laws of municipalities should include the responsibility to decrease the transmission of HIV infection in their territories, as a governmental function.

HIV/AIDS activists in your countries and across Europe stand ready to support you in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, and to participate in the process of reducing the costs of antiretroviral medication in your countries.

Yours sincerely,

Anna Zakowicz

Chair of the European AIDS Treatment Group (EATG)

Read the call by the “Baltic Positive Network” :