The Ukrainians: Time Out on Holiday Street (AIDS in Ukraine)

The AIDS Centre in Kiev can be found on the inappropriately named Holiday Street. This is a series of portraits of people involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Ukraine.

Ukraine is the first European country to face an AIDS epidemic on a scale comparable to many African countries. Nearly half a million Ukrainians are believed to be HIV+. In 2007 Ukraine accounted for nearly two thirds of all new HIV infections throughout Europe outside Russia.

The full extent of the problem is not known. A person can be infected with HIV for 6 to 10 years before developing any symptoms. There is little incentive to be tested, because HIV patients in Ukraine are often thrown out of work, ostracised from society, and even denied access to basic healthcare.

Here in this Trust Room I conduct before and after testing consultation. It’s difficult when someone receives a positive diagnosis, you yourself live through it with that person.
  
Volodya is a former drug user who runs a needle exchange programme at Kiev AIDS Centre
   
     
  
Red Cross visiting nurse for HIV+ ‘clients’
   
  
     
  
   
Head of the Laboratory, Kiev AIDS Centre, Holiday Street
   
Nurse, Chernigov AIDS hospital
     
  
Child Virologist, Kiev AIDS Centre, Holiday Street
   
Kiev AIDS Centre, on Holiday Street