Due to the full-scale invasion, HIV-positive women in Ukraine have faced limited access to medical services

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, women living with HIV have experienced significant difficulties in obtaining the medical care they need. This has affected not only their physical health, but also their psychological well-being and ability to care for themselves.

This was reported by Olena Stryzhak, the chairperson of the charitable organization “Positive Women”, during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

According to a study conducted by “Positive Women” on HIV-positive women’s access to medical services, 36% of women living with HIV reported a deterioration in their health (with 23% experiencing a severe deterioration) compared to data from February 24, 2012.

69% of women reported that self-care had taken a back seat to meeting basic needs, and 53% reported that they lacked the energy to ask for help.

In 2023, HIV testing among women decreased by 15% compared to the pre-war period.

18% of HIV-positive women were unable to access regular gynecological services due to the closure of gynecological departments as a result of the war.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news