In Ukraine, approximately one in 165 people are living with HIV. Many people are unaware of their HIV status because society is not well-informed about the virus\u2019s spread, prevention, and treatment. Today, the HIV epidemic in Ukraine can be overcome by mass testing of the population. If everyone knows ones\u2019 HIV status, it will be the slightest chance of getting or transmitting the virus to someone. Hence, on World AIDS Day, during the fourth issue of the Medical Education Marathon, we reflected on the following:<\/p>\n
The family doctor is significant for patients\u2019 first contact with the health care system. In a sense, family doctors are health gatekeepers who diagnose, prevent, and treat. For people living with HIV, the role of family doctors is essential. Therefore, their dialogue can be based on trust.<\/p>\n
In Ukraine, the relationship between family doctors and patients living with HIV has begun to develop due to health care reform.\u00a0\u201cUnfortunately, despite our country\u2019s significant successes in the fight against the HIV\/AIDS epidemic, according to the WHO, Ukraine remains a country at high risk of HIV infection among Central European and Asian countries. Today, the Healthcare Guarantee Programme has outlined a clear list of medical services and medicines that the state guarantees to each patient according to his clinical needs. The goal of the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) is to diagnose, detect infection and prescribe antiretroviral drugs as soon as possible,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0said\u00a0Ruslana Dutchuk<\/strong>, chief specialist of the Clinical and Scientific Expertise Department of the Universal Medical Services Coverage Strategy Department, (NHSU).<\/p>\n