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HIV/AIDS Prevention in the Balkans and Eastern Europe


HIV/AIDS Prevention in the Balkans and Eastern Europe

Although the existing HIV/AIDS statistics in the Balkans and South Eastern Europe indicate that the overall prevalence is low, with the exception of Romania -which has the highest prevalence of HIV positive youth in Europe, the situation is rapidly changing. Widespread unemployment, economic insecurity and radically changed social environments have created conditions for deteriorated health. In addition, a lack of access to appropriate health services, including HIV voluntary, confidential counselling and testing, access to relevant information, as well as widespread stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/AIDS combine to create an environment fertile for an HIV epidemic.

While governments in the region may have the political will to take action, resources are limited to respond effectively and adequately. Non government organizations have become increasingly active in addressing HIV/AIDS in their respective countries, their capacity is limited and in some cases, NGO relationships with the government are fragile.

In 2001, CPHA was awarded a three-year contract with UNICEF to strengthen national responses to HIV/AIDS particularly as it relates to young people in the region. The purpose of the contract is to identify appropriate Canadian technical expertise and to provide training, guidance and advice related to the development of appropriate HIV programs and policies.

CPHA works with the UNICEF Area Office for the Balkans (located in Sarajevo), the UNICEF office in Romania (which also covers Bulgaria) and the UNICEF Office in Moldova and partners with government agencies, AIDS committees and non-government organizations, to enhance HIV/AIDS related capacity in the region.

CPHA technical assistance has included (but is not limited to): the co-ordination of a rapid assessment and response study related to HIV transmission Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Albania and the UN administered province of Kosovo; training of trainers on voluntary confidential counselling and testing in Macedonia and Serbia; situational analysis related to prevention of mother to child transmission in Serbia; strengthening of HIV surveillance systems in Bulgaria and Macedonia; partnering with the Romanian Ministry of Justice to develop appropriate prison based HIV prevention programs; supporting the development and implementation of national HIV/AIDS strategic plans and building HIV/AIDS communication strategies in Moldova and Bulgaria.

CPHA also hosts technical study tours to Canada for representatives from non-government and government organizations in the region. These study tours provide opportunities for dialogue and information sharing on HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and support with Canadian counterparts.

HIV/AIDS in the South East Europe Region

Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) for HIV/AIDS in South Eastern Europe


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