As the year comes to an end, we just want to say thank you for being with us.

For 25 years, the Alliance for Public Health has been standing side by side with people and communities: through change, crisis, and moments of hope. And we’ll keep moving forward together.

Wishing you peaceful holidays, time to rest, and renewed strength for the year ahead, for you, your loved ones, and the communities we care about.

We also express our deep gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who every day defend not only our country, but also the values of freedom, dignity, and peace.

Today, at APH office, we had the honor of receiving the Bethlehem Peace Light, kindly brought to us by Plast as part of the traditional pre-Christmas events. This symbolic flame carries a message of goodness, support, and unity.

Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Health, thanked the Plast members for carrying out this important mission and for preserving the tradition. He noted that the Light is a symbol of goodness and faith – not only faith in God but also faith in Ukraine’s victory. Everyone had the opportunity to light their own candle from the Bethlehem Light, feeling the warmth and power of this tradition.

Plast is the largest youth organization in Ukraine, and we greatly value our collaboration with youth movements that spread light, hope, and goodness.

The Peace Light inspires us to continue our mission – supporting health and strengthening communities. This borderless symbol of goodness resonates deeply with our global goal: healthy communities for all.

On December 10, the world marks International Human Rights Day — the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which proclaimed that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Yet in reality, for millions of people these words still do not fully work due to barriers, stigma, and discrimination: rights are declared, but the ability to exercise them and effective protection are still not guaranteed.

Human rights are about everyday realities: the ability to seek services or assistance without fear, to receive quality and timely care, and to overcome obstacles on the way to basic needs — health, safety, and dignity. However, even where the right to health is formally recognized, equal treatment and fair conditions are often not ensured. Stigma, discrimination in healthcare settings, difficulties in interactions with law enforcement, and delays in treatment frequently result in people being unable to receive timely assistance and defend their rights. In such situations, human rights violations have direct consequences for health and life.

Despite the fact that the principles of equality and non-discrimination are enshrined in international documents, for many people rights still remain declarations without real protection mechanisms. Where there is no protection, rights themselves lose their power.

Even when a person formally has a right, without the ability to defend it, that right remains vulnerable. Human rights protection is not an abstract concept, but concrete actions: the ability to file a complaint, receive legal support, restore violated rights, and hold perpetrators accountable. It is precisely this that determines whether a right becomes a real tool of safety and dignity or remains just a line in a document.

The consequences of human rights violations in the field of healthcare are similar across many countries: delays or denial of treatment leading to higher risks of complications, chronic illness and premature death; deterioration of mental health due to stigma, exclusion and constant fear of seeking help; deepening social inequality; and erosion of trust in healthcare systems, which reduces access to prevention, testing and treatment and undermines public health overall.

International Human Rights Day reminds us every year that rights do not work automatically. When a person cannot exercise their rights or lacks real protection, civil society often becomes the crucial link that turns rights into real assistance.

In Ukraine and in 13 other countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), Alliance for Public Health is implementing the REAct (Rights – Evidence – Action) system — a tool for documenting human rights violations affecting key communities vulnerable to HIV and tuberculosis.

Since the launch of the system in 2019, with the support of 202 non-governmental organizations and 360 REActors, more than 35,000 cases of human rights violations against representatives of key communities have been registered.

Despite different national contexts, the typical violations remain strikingly similar: stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings, denial of services, breaches of confidentiality, poor quality medical care, and unlawful actions by law enforcement.

Paralegals from partner organizations not only document these cases, but also provide paralegal консультації, accompany people in overcoming barriers to accessing services, and assist in protecting their rights.

These services are critically important, as they make it possible to restore violated rights, receive necessary assistance, and mitigate the impact of discrimination on people’s lives and health. Overcoming barriers to access is not an abstract goal, but a concrete step toward real protection of dignity and safety.

Today, on International Human Rights Day, we once again emphasize: rights must be not just loud words, but a real mechanism of action and protection.

ICF “Alliance for Public Health” expresses sincere gratitude to all partner organizations, every REActor, for their daily dedication, professionalism, and principled stance in defense of human rights, as well as to all clients — for their trust, courage to seek help, and resilience in these extremely challenging times.

330 organisations from around the world — including Alliance for Public Health and more than 140 Ukrainian civil society, community, and public health organisations — are calling on the European Commission to confirm a €800 million pledge to the Global Fund ahead of the February 2026 Board Meeting.

On November 21, donors fell short of the Global Fund’s USD 18 billion replenishment target. While the global context is challenging, the gap is deeply concerning: HIV, TB and malaria programmes are already under pressure from shrinking overseas development assistance and growing humanitarian needs.

A timely and ambitious pledge from the European Commission is critical to:

• enable the Global Fund to allocate resources on time
• prevent interruptions to lifesaving country programmes
• unlock approximately €400 million in US matching funds
• uphold Europe’s leadership in global health

For Ukraine, the stakes are especially clear. Even amid full-scale war, Global Fund support keeps HIV and TB services operational despite missile strikes, displacement, and damaged health infrastructure. Mobile teams reach frontline areas; digital tools and innovations are deployed in real time; communities, doctors and outreach workers continue saving lives under extraordinary conditions.

Ukraine’s experience underscores a simple truth: investing in global health is a matter of global security, resilience, and shared values.

A stronger outcome is still possible — and the European Commission and EU Member States can play a decisive role.

Read the full statement and the list of 330 signatories:

Alliance for Public Health received a Letter of Appreciation from the Commander of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General of the Medical Service Anatolii Petrovych Kazmirchuk.

We sincerely thank him for this honorable recognition of our work in testing servicemen for HIV and viral hepatitis, as well as diagnosing tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases using specially equipped mobile clinics.

Special thanks to Serhii Oleksandrovych Morhun, Head of the Sanitary-Epidemiological Department of the Medical Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, for his fruitful collaboration.

We continue to work together for Victory!

The Alliance for Public Health (APH) joins the global campaign – World Hepatitis Testing Week (WHTW) 2025, to draw attention to the importance of testing for hepatitis B and C.

From 18 to 24 November, awareness activities and hepatitis testing are carried out worldwide. Together with partners in Ukraine, Nigeria (DAPHO) and Kyrgyzstan (Partner Network Association), APH organizes testing through mobile clinics, community-based centers, and outreach activities to reach people most affected by hepatitis. By providing free testing, we help people learn their status and start treatment on time.

“Testing is the first step to ending hepatitis. During World Hepatitis Testing Week 2025, we are strengthening our efforts to make testing more accessible and reduce the burden of hepatitis in the communities we serve,” said Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Health.

According to the World Health Organization (World Hepatitis Report 2024), around 3,500 people die every day from hepatitis B and C, and approximately 6,000 new infections are recorded daily. Globally, an estimated 254 million people live with hepatitis B and 50 million with hepatitis C.

For more than 13 years, APH has been implementing comprehensive hepatitis C programs in Ukraine – from free testing and treatment to digital innovations that bring services closer to people.

“To end hepatitis C, we must be patient-centered and enable people to start treatment on the day of their first positive test. Today, this is possible – and we are expanding such programs in Ukraine and globally,” said Tetiana Deshko, Director of the International Programs Department at the Alliance for Public Health.

APH is a partner of the international consortium implementing the project “HCV Innovate Involve Inspire (HepC III)” together with Frontline AIDS and supported by Unitaid. The project introduces an innovative hepatitis C testing and treatment model for people who use drugs in Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria and Egypt.

Join the global campaign from 18 to 24 November 2025!
Let’s make hepatitis testing a priority for everyone.
More information at heptestweek.org.

15–18 October, Paris hosted the 20th European AIDS Conference (EACS 2025) — a key international event in HIV response that brought together scientists, clinicians, researchers, and community representatives to discuss innovative approaches in HIV prevention, treatment, and care, including digital technologies and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Tetiana Deshko, Director of the Department of International Programs at Alliance for Public Health, participated in the conference, held meetings with partners from various countries in the region, and shared experiences in implementing innovative solutions in Eastern Europe and Central Asia that increase the effectiveness of HIV testing and early treatment initiation.

Tetyana’s presentation took place within the parallel session “How can AI be used to advance in HIV prevention, treatment and care?”, which explored current AI applications in HIV prevention, case finding, treatment, and care, while also discussing scientific, medical, ethical, and privacy challenges.

“AI is a technology that, together with biomedical advances such as lenacapavir and the focused work of communities, can help achieve global HIV targets,” said Tetiana Deshko.

Key innovations presented:
✅ TWIIN – an innovative AI-powered virtual consultant, available 24/7 at twiin.aph.org.ua , on mobile phones or any device. The service covers HIV, tuberculosis, addictions, and mental health. All digital “humans” are real social workers and community representatives. Implemented within the iSoS regional partnership, supported financially by The Global Fund.

✅ Machine learning applications to optimize detection of new HIV cases, increasing testing efficiency in high-risk networks and supporting early treatment initiation using predictive algorithms.

✅ Help24 TeleHealth — a telemedicine platform developed under Ukraine’s National Telemedicine Strategy, providing access to HIV, STI, and mental health services for vulnerable populations (127,192 services provided to date, help24.org.ua/en).

✅ AI in Business Continuity Planning (BCP) for HIV organisations — automated risk forecasting, intelligent crisis response support, and democratised access to expert training for organizations of any size. Implemented by Social Equation Hub, within the iSoS regional partnership.

Tetiana demonstrated how integrating data from multiple sources and using predictive algorithms helps identify people in need faster and make life-saving decisions, even under war conditions.

We are pleased to announce that the Alliance for Public Health has ranked 7th among the TOP-100 public charitable organizations of Ukraine that contribute the most to supporting, rebuilding, and protecting the country across all areas of assistance in Ukraine today.

The ranking evaluates not only the amount of resources mobilized and organizational transparency, but also the real-life impact of these organizations in saving lives through socially important programs.
The “income” indicator includes donations, grants, humanitarian aid, and other resources that organizations independently mobilize for Ukraine and directly invest in health support, medical care provision, and protection of people in crisis situations.

“This position in the ranking is not just recognition — it is evidence that our innovative programs truly save lives. Mobile clinics, the digital social worker, telemedicine, and other projects help people receive timely medical care and support even in the most difficult conditions.
We are grateful to our partners, donors, and everyone who supports the Alliance’s work and ensures the continuity of services. Today’s challenges are great, but they only strengthen our commitment to our mission: ensuring health, safety, and hope for life,”
— noted Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Health.

Background information

The International Charitable Foundation “Alliance for Public Health” is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In cooperation with governmental partners and community organizations, the Alliance has a significant impact on the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and other socially significant diseases in Ukraine. Alliance for Public Health provides targeted humanitarian support to the most vulnerable groups of the population and implements veteran rehabilitation programs.

Since February 2022, more than 1.6 million Ukrainians have received support from APH. Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine is not only a fight for sovereignty but also for people’s health and well-being.

The Alliance for Public Health operates Mobile Treatment Points (mobile medical units), providing essential medical services to populations in frontline and hard-to-reach areas. They have implemented integrated primary health services, screening, diagnosis, and treatment for HIV and TB, reaching 26,500 people in 494 remote locations across six regions near the front line — people who otherwise would not have access to medical care.

The Alliance’s Results Since the Start of the Full-Scale Invasion Include:

• Access to PrEP for 14000 people at risk of HIV (66% of all who started PrEP during the war);
• Medical and psychological support for 17117 people with TB;
• Diagnosis of over 4000 TB cases among vulnerable and key populations;
• Services for 5270 people with HIV/TB co-infection from key groups (98% treatment success rate);
• Increased TB detection — 2.5 times more cases identified among internally displaced persons;
• Development of a specialized training course for doctors on working with war veterans (to date, nearly 30000 doctors have completed the course through the National Health Service of Ukraine Academy platform .

Other areas of support include psychological assistance, winterization support, provision of essential supplies, procurement of food, clothing, and medicines, as well as training in employment skills and financial literacy, HIV related services and support, telemedicine.

In responding to the challenges of war, Alliance for Public Health is also helping to rebuild Ukraine for the future.

More details about the ranking and the updated list of organizations