Kyiv, Ukraine – 19/06/2024 

ICF “Alliance for Public Health” in partnership with the Alliance Consultancy is pleased to announce the opening of the Help24 TeleHealth telemedicine platform and online clinic. This unique platform, based on the Help24 website, provides free online medical services to vulnerable populations in Ukraine. In particular:

  • Virtual consultations with doctors.
  • Remote referral for laboratory tests.
  • Online prescription and treatment monitoring.
  • Access to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections prevention.
  • Mental health counseling.
  • Testing and counseling for infectious diseases.

“Help24 TeleHealth is not just a new platform. This is a strategic direction of the Alliance’s work and another step towards the introduction of modern IT solutions in Ukrainian medicine, which means a significant leap forward in ensuring the availability and quality of medical care for key and vulnerable populations, especially in wartime and the destruction of the healthcare system. In 2023, 13,267 medical consultations were provided through the platform. The Help24 TeleHealth platform is an innovation that saves lives! – emphasizes Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director, ICF “Alliance for Public Health”.   

Help24 TeleHealth is:

    • A unique Ukrainian platform that offers online clinic and telemedicine services specially created for people living with HIV and other vulnerable groups.
    • A comprehensive solution that allows you to:
      • Receive preventive and treatment services for HIV, mental disorders, and viral hepatitis even in the context of military operations and the destruction of the healthcare system.
  • Access diagnostic tools and PrEP remotely.
  • Take advantage of psychological assistance.
  • Read information and educational materials.
  • A team of more than 15 experienced medical professionals who guarantee openness, expertise, and confidentiality of consultations, regardless of your location.
  • Absolute data security and confidentiality, as information protection is one of the platform’s top priorities.

“Help24 TeleHealth is a new stage in providing affordable and high-quality online medical services,” – says Vlasta Brodska, Director, Alliance Consultancy. “With this platform, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring equal access to healthcare for all groups of people. Our goal is to provide the necessary support to those who are most vulnerable to HIV and other infections, so all Help24 TeleHealth services are free of charge. We believe this innovative platform will become a key tool for improving the health and well-being of our citizens.”

The initiative is supported by the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, as well as Frontline AIDS and Gilead. 

Andriy Bilets, an infectious disease specialist at the Department of HIV Management and Control, Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, emphasizes the importance of telemedicine and Help24 TeleHealth in the fight against HIV in the context of active hostilities in Ukraine: “Given the current situation in Ukraine, telemedicine is becoming extremely important as it helps to ensure timely diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV infection, especially in conditions of limited human resources and lack of access to healthcare facilities due to damage or destruction of infrastructure. This not only saves time and money for patients, but also allows them to receive prompt, qualified assistance regardless of their location, which is especially important during military aggression and active hostilities.”

“We support this initiative because it provides patients with access to HIV diagnosis, treatment and prevention, helping to overcome existing barriers and provide quality and comprehensive medical care even in the most difficult times. Through the implementation of such interventions, we not only ensure the implementation of the State Strategy for the Development of Telemedicine in Ukraine, but also strengthen the implementation of the necessary response to HIV for different populations, including vulnerable groups, and hope that such projects will form the basis of a modern, effective medical system in our country. – says Andriy Bilets.

In 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Telemedicine Development Strategy, identifying this area as a priority tool for developing eHealth and digital transformation. Help24 TeleHealth was created to implement this strategy and ensure equal access to quality healthcare services for key populations, including HIV, mental health, and related areas. 

“Telemedicine is an effective form of access to basic healthcare services and an integral component of a comprehensive healthcare system. Telemedicine services must be a necessary and effective tool to overcome barriers to access to basic standard medical services, which is especially important given the challenges to the healthcare system caused by the war. Thus, telemedicine is not an additional but a basic need for key populations, including people living with HIV, internally displaced persons, and those who are forcibly staying abroad. That is why the purpose of creating telemedicine offices and the telemedicine module of the Help24 Telehealth platform is to standardize the telemedicine method itself, to develop and implement standard operating procedures and algorithms to meet the needs of key populations, including people living with HIV,” adds Sergii Antoniak, infectious disease Doctor, Project coordinator, Help24 TeleHealth. “In general, telemedicine should be considered one of the priority elements of comprehensive eHealth in Ukraine, which provides access to quality health care, promotes health restoration, rehabilitation of Ukrainians and prevention of HIV and other socially significant diseases.” 

Help24 TeleHealth offers comprehensive healthcare solutions right on your screen, wherever you are!

To sign up for a consultation, please follow the link: 

https://h24.org.ua/  

https://help24.org.ua/uk/doctor-consultation-info