Elena Strozhak, an activist and the head of Cherkassy Regional Branch of All-Ukrainian Network of PLWHA, is a well-known person. She appears in many Ukrainian newspapers and on many photos taken at all kinds of conferences, meeting and actions in support of people living with HIV. Exclusively for our website www.positivepeople.md, Elena told us about the fight against the HIV epidemic in Ukraine, why in that region children with HIV are still being born and why it is important to strengthen palliative care for those who need it.
Lena, I’d like to start our interview with wonderful news – a few months ago Cherkassy Regional Branch of All-Ukrainian Network of PLWHA received the “Red Ribbon Award” at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne in the category „Treatment, care and support.” Have you decided how you will spend the money you received?
You know, it’s interesting, but we have not seen the money yet. I think by the end of this year we will receive them. As for „how to spend” – we would like to invest the money in any initiative that will focus on the development of our social activities and the strengthening of services, which are now mostly funded by the Global Fund. We are trying to attract government, more donors and private individuals though.
And how much do the ordinary people, in case of your organization, show the desire and initiative to contribute to the fight against HIV / AIDS?
It’s a mutual work because we have to attract people somehow. So the initiative must come from us. Once an unknown person called us and asked me to give him our bank account and later he transferred incognito considerable amount of money at that time – about a thousand dollars. Again, this call was made after some interviews with members of our organization.
Do you remember your feeling at the moment when you learned that you have won the contest?
It was such a happiness! Firstly, this year we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Cherkassy Branch and the prize was one of the nicest gifts. Secondly, we have already submitted documents for the same competition two years ago, but we won only this year. This award is even more important if you consider fact that we were chosen among thousands of applicants from all over the world.
Lena, you are also a member of “Positive women” organization, what are your goals and objectives? And what do “Positive women” of Ukraine want?
We established this organization to draw some attention to women and not only to those living with HIV. Also, we wanted the name of the organization to have double meaning, so people do not associate it only with HIV. We believe that nowadays the epidemic of HIV affects all women and men in Ukraine. I will explain: currently, we have 1,5 % of adult population in Ukraine living with HIV, every one of them has a family, children, relatives, so it means that the epidemic concerns all of them. Our goal is to stop HIV epidemic and help those living with HIV to be a productive member of society. Reproductive health, access to equal rights and opportunities in politics and other social sector are our priorities. We generally believe that women understand the best any issue that concerns women and children. In addition, we observe that the number of women infected with HIV is increasing, if at the beginning of the epidemic the number of women living with HIV was about 10-15%, then today it is 50-55%.
What is the reason?
There are many reasons, first of all, women are more vulnerable physiologically, and women do not decide about the of use contraception. Plus, women depend economically on their husbands, and this causes many problems. One of them is sexual assault when woman is exposed to infection, including HIV.
Do you have any visible achievements in your organization, I mean, do women take some high-profile jobs in your organization?
Our chairman, Ira Borushek, is member of the National Coordination Council on HIV / AIDS. Sveta Moroz, a member of the governing committee, she was the committee member for preparation of the conference, which has just ended in Australia. I represent the Eastern Europe and Central Asia in ICW organization. It is the International Community of Women Living with HIV.
Lena, tell me please, does the latest political and military situation in Ukraine have influence on the ARV-therapy in Ukraine? Have any problems occurred?
Of course, the whole system of supply and procurement of ARV drugs has dramatically changed. However, people currently still have access to the therapy, but we have a serious problem with the request for tender for 2014, which has not been announced yet. But we are working hard to make this happen as soon as possible.
And do you receive e-mails or calls from people from the east of Ukraine, who do not have access to ARV treatment?
Of course, and we immediately take action. In general, the civil service for the fight against socially dangerous diseases is responsible for it. We also deliver ARV drugs to Donetsk and Lugansk regions on our own. Our activists carry them through the checkpoints, through the war zone, risking their own life.
You help many children living with HIV. Is this problem still valid in Ukraine?
Like in every other region, this problem is still not solved yet, it still exists. Despite all measures we take to ensure early diagnosis and prophylactic, children with HIV are still being born. And yet, if 4-5 years ago a total number of children born with HIV was 18% (we talk about mother-to-child transmission of HIV), then now it is only 4%.
Do people give their babies up for adoption?
It is happening less and less. Currently, we have some regions where there are no children with HIV in boarding school because all of them found new families.
And is discrimination of people living with HIV in Ukraine decreasing?
Of course, and it is happening thanks to activist who openly show their faces in TV, in some meetings, events, etc. Last year we held a huge social action: all over Ukraine you could see billboards and LED advertising lights panels, where you could see photos of people and a message, for example: “My name is Olya, I will with HIV 18 years, I receive ARV treatment…” Plus, on every billboard was written the number of hotline where you could get professional information on HIV/AIDS. And also, currently we are actively working with governmental institutions, in fact, we are working as one.
Can everyone get tested for HIV in any clinic in your region?
Yes, of course. This can be done in a “doctor’s office of trust”, which is available in every clinic.
And what can you say about palliative care, do you also provide it?
We are now doing everything we can to provide it because sometimes happens situations when palliative care is necessary. That is why we are now planning to develop services such as hospices. We sincerely believe that a person, who is seriously ill, should have an opportunity to die with dignity. In the meantime, we invite the Red Cross to work with us, we visit our patients at their homes, we provide psychological support to family and we involve health workers when a situation requires their help.
Lena, let’s talk a bit about you. Can you describe your day?
A day always begins with a cup of coffee and checking the mail. And later everything is unpredictable. I am often busy with business trips and meetings. Therefore, I do not have a clear daily routine. I exactly know that every single day will be filled with meeting with people and I love it.
You have two children. What do they think about your job?
I do not know the opinion of the youngest one because he is only 5 years old. But my oldest daughter is 13 and we had already a conversation about what HIV is, how it is transmitted and how you can protect yourself. Also, a few years ago I carried out a lesson at her school and I explain to the students what HIV is and I underlined that the children with HIV are the same as healthy ones and they are not dangerous at all.
If you had such an opportunity to go back in time and change something in your life, would you do that?
No.