The “Migration and HIV in countries of Eurasian Economic Union” regional consultations were held in Yerevan

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The “Migration and HIV in countries of Eurasian Economic Union” Regional Consultations were held in the capital of Armenia from 18-19 May. The event was organised with the support from AIDS Infoshare Foundation, Republican AIDS Centre, Ministry of Health of Armenia, the Rospotrebnadzor and Embassy of Russia in Armenia.

Representatives of Ministries of Health, AIDS prevention and treatment Centres, migration services of Armenia, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS), International Red Cross Society and Armenian Red Cross Society have participated in the consultations.

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The consultations aimed to develop cross sectoral cooperation and cross-country collaboration in response to HIV and associated diseases in the EAEU countries.

During two days the participants evaluated influence of migration on HIV/AIDS epidemiological situation as well as on co-infections in the EAEU countries. Cross sectoral coordination and cooperation on HIV issues in the EAEU countries, perspectives for treating labour migrants from the EAEU countries in the countries of stay, role of international donors in ensuring control over HIV and co-infections has been discussed.

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Although the HIV epidemics in the EAEU countries develop in similar ways, each epidemic is specific and each country takes specific efforts to control and combat the epidemic. However, existing links between the countries, intense labour migration, poor coordinated HIV responses reduces the efficiency of measures undertaken and allows the epidemic to spread among the new populations. Joint and well coordinated efforts of the countries in response to HIV on all levels will enhance the efficiency of implemented activities. They will ensure large scale access to treatment, allow to control and reduce the epidemic in the EAEU countries. This in its turn will reduce the number of new HIV cases and mortality in the EAEU countries.