Obviously, some of the changes brought forth by COVID-19 (simplification of patent regulations, modification of client program management and the use of online formats, simplification of drug users policing, amnesty for drug users in some countries) should continue after COVID-19, furthermore, they will significantly increase the sustainability of HIV programs in the future.

In the framework of the special broadcast, the experts will present their arguments for the sustainability of HIV programs based on the COVID-19 lessons in terms of such aspects, as:

1. Access to HIV medicines and diagnostics,
2. HIV services for key populations,
3. Drug policy,
4. Strengthening of the national health systems.

Focus: on the new opportunities to boost sustainability, not on reporting the problems!

Broadcast speakers:

1. Fifa Rahman (Malaysia), expert on intellectual property and improving access to medicines, UNITAID board member

Topic: Simplification of access to medicines and diagnostics

1. Anton Basenko (Ukraine), expert on drug policy, community, gender and human rights, Alliance for Public Health

Topic: Simplification of services provision models for vulnerable groups in the region – which of the improved practices should be maintained after COVID-19

1. Niamh Eastwood (UK), Executive Director of the Release – the British center of expertise on drugs and drugs law

Topic: Decriminalization of drug use for personal purposes and amnesty for the convicts

1. Volodymyr Kurpita (Ukraine), expert on public health and HIV/AIDS

Topic: Changes to be made in the healthcare system: COVID19 lessons for HIV sustainability

Moderator: Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Health, Global Fund To Fight AIDS, TB & Malaria Member of the Board form the Developing Countries NGO Delegation.

Speakers will tell in detail what can be simplified, optimized, improved in the existing healthcare systems in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic impact, so that countries become more efficient and better prepared for similar challenges in the future.

The broadcast will be in English with simultaneous interpretation into Russian.

You can watch live discussion on the website or through social media: Facebook (ru) and Youtube (eng).

Start: On May 5, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST (UTC+3)

Original source of the news.