The future EU Drug Strategy (2026–2030), drug policy reforms in candidate countries, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on mental health and substance use were among the key topics discussed at the European Parliament.

On 6 May 2026, Pavel Bém — ECECACD Commissioner, National Drug Coordinator of the Czech Republic, and former Mayor of Prague — addressed the European Parliament’s SANT Committee, outlining priorities for the future development of drug policy across Europe.

In his intervention, he emphasised the importance of evidence-based approaches, balanced policy design, and stronger alignment of drug policy with public health objectives and human rights standards.

Key messages from the discussion

Balancing the EU Drug Strategy (2026–2030)

Pavel Bém underlined the importance of maintaining a balanced approach within the future EU Drug Strategy, ensuring that public health, prevention, treatment, and harm reduction are addressed alongside security and law enforcement measures. He also highlighted the need for a dedicated funding mechanism to sustain public health services across Europe and in EU candidate countries.

EU accession and policy alignment

Dr. Bém highlighted the EU accession process as an important opportunity to support reforms in candidate countries and strengthen health-oriented, evidence-based, and human rights-centred approaches to drug policy. He noted that the European Parliament and European Commission should consider revising negotiation frameworks to ensure that public health components of drug policy are adequately reflected in accession requirements.

War in Ukraine: mental health and substance use challenges

The discussion also addressed the growing impact of war-related trauma on mental health and substance use in Ukraine, underlining the need for long-term support, resilient healthcare systems, and innovative approaches, including psychedelic-assisted therapy.

During the meeting, Pavel Bém also presented the ECECACD position paper “Accession to the EU: A Paradigm Change Towards Health-Based Drug Policy”. The paper analyses how EU enlargement can support the transition towards evidence-based, balanced, and human rights-centred drug policies in candidate countries across Eastern Europe, Central Europe, and Central Asia, while also identifying gaps in current accession practices and outlining recommendations for both EU institutions and candidate countries.

Special thanks to MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis for his leadership and initiative in making this discussion possible from the European Parliament side, and to Olena Kucheruk and ECECACD for the excellent coordination from the ECECACD side.

Watch the video recording of the intervention and discussion with Members of the European Parliament:
https://youtu.be/7pkii8hPtwU

Association of Charities of Ukraine has published the results of the National ranking “TOP 100+ largest charitable foundations in Ukraine”.

Based on the analysis of open financial reporting and in line with the approved methodology, Alliance for Public Health ranked 9th in 2026.

The ranking is developed in cooperation with the analytical center NOVI and is based exclusively on objective indicators — open data and publicly available organizational reporting. Its purpose is to reflect the scale of the charitable sector, the level of transparency, and the capacity of organizations to mobilize resources for socially important change.

The results confirm that Ukraine has developed a strong and structured charitable sector, where the interaction between large system-level organizations and a growing mid-sized segment ensures the resilience of the system as a whole.

For us, this is about trust.

And about the responsibility to continue working where it matters most.

More details:

A new document will help Country Coordinating Mechanisms prepare competitive funding requests to the Global Fund

The Alliance for Public Health, within the iSoS regional project, has presented a new strategic document – “Strategic Recommendations for EECA Countries: High-Impact Interventions for GC8 Funding Requests”.

The document has been developed specifically for Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and contains ready-to-use interventions that can be directly incorporated into funding requests under the Global Fund’s Grant Cycle 8 (GC8).

Why this matters

GC8 introduces significant strategic shifts: a stronger focus on people-centered services, community leadership, digital transformation, and sustainable health systems. The new guide helps CCMs build proposals that are aligned with these priorities — technically sound and strategically competitive.

The document addresses real regional challenges: fragmented data systems, limited reach of programs for key populations, low PrEP retention, underfunded human rights mechanisms, and insufficient development of domestic financing mechanisms.

What the document includes

Each intervention is presented in a standardized, CCM-friendly format: problem statement, intervention description, expected results, and indicative budget. All components are modular, scalable, and adaptable to national priorities.

The document includes six interventions:

1. Budget Advocacy and Social Contracting for sustainable HIV financing
2. DHIS2-based National HIV Prevention, Care and Support Information System
3. REAct (Rights–Evidence–Action) – systematic monitoring and response to human rights barriers to service access
4. Long-Acting PrEP – injectable Lenacapavir, new long-acting oral agents, and telePrEP
5. LADB – Long-Acting Depot Buprenorphine as an opioid agonist therapy option for people who inject drugs
6. TWIIN – AI-based digital assistant for service access and referrals

The interventions can be incorporated into HIV, TB, RSSH, CRG, or prevention modules and adapted to national epidemiological contexts.

Three strategic functions of the document for CCMs:

• Ensuring alignment with GC8 priorities
• Strengthening evidence-based decision-making
• Supporting inclusive and transparent CCM deliberations

The document is available for download below. For more information on any of the listed interventions, please contact the Alliance for Public Health: iSoS Project Director Sergiy Filippovych: filippovych@aph.org.ua

As part of World Hepatitis Summit 2026, taking place from 28 to 30 April 2026 in Bangkok, Anna Meteliuk, representing the Alliance for Public Health, delivered a presentation.

She presented preliminary results of the study:

“Simplified Community-Based HCV Testing, Diagnostics and Treatment Algorithm for People Who Inject Drugs in Kyrgyzstan: Facilitators and Barriers of the Model.”

This study addresses one of the most pressing gaps in hepatitis C response — access to care for people who inject drugs.

In Kyrgyzstan:

• ~25,000 people inject drugs
• HCV prevalence among them reaches 62.2%
• Access to state-funded treatment remains limited

The research explores a community-based, simplified model of care that integrates testing, diagnostics, and treatment into harm reduction services.

Key findings show that:

• Trust in providers, confidentiality, and “one-stop” services significantly improve treatment uptake
• Free and accessible services at the community level are critical
• Barriers such as stigma, long travel distances, bureaucracy, and waiting lists still limit access

Despite these challenges, the model demonstrates strong potential to increase treatment initiation and completion among people who inject drugs.

The study is presented within the project “Innovate, Involve, Inspire: Preventing Hepatitis C Through Community-Led Harm Reduction (HEPC III)”, which is led by Frontline AIDS (UK) in partnership with the Alliance for Public Health (Ukraine) and is implemented in Kyrgyzstan with local partner Association “Partnership Network”.

We are presenting a new issue of the iSoS Digest, focused on EU accession processes, global discussions at the UN level, and shifts in civic space that are shaping the future of drug policy in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

This edition brings together key materials and analysis to better understand these dynamics — from the outcomes of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs 69th Session to the role of EU accession as a driver of reform.

In this issue:

• how the EU accession process influences drug policy
• why human rights are becoming central to global discussions
• how shrinking civic space affects access to services
• key events, materials, and videos from CND69

This edition also includes analysis prepared in collaboration with the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association and other regional partners.

View the full digest: https://archive.sendpul.se/v/5ijuv/a68c/

The full-scale war in Ukraine is not only destroying lives — it is also putting the sustainability of essential public health programmes at risk. In response, the Alliance for Public Health (APH) is launching a series of international fundraising campaigns to ensure continued support for the people and communities most affected.

These campaigns combine international partnerships with a range of fundraising tools — from traditional platforms to innovative digital solutions — to mobilise resources for the long-term sustainability of critical public health programmes.

One of the first initiatives in this series is Touch Point, a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for blind veterans in Ukraine. These are individuals who have lost their sight as a result of the war and require long-term support to regain independence and return to daily life.

The programme includes mobility and orientation training, digital skills development, psychological support, and continued assistance after reintegration into the community. It is based on evidence-informed approaches and aims to achieve lasting social impact by restoring independence and improving the quality of life of veterans and their families.

“In the context of a full-scale war and shrinking international funding, diversifying resources is no longer a matter of development — it is a matter of programme survival. This is why APH is open to new partnerships and solutions that enable long-term, systemic support for veterans and vulnerable populations,”
says Tetiana Deshko, Director for International Programmes and Development at the Alliance for Public Health.

“For blind veterans, support is not only about rehabilitation — it is about the opportunity to live independently again, to be part of their communities, and to rebuild their future together with their families.”

New approaches to financing public health programmes have also been highlighted in an analytical article published on the Crypto Altruists platform — “New Funding Pathways for the Alliance for Public Health: Supporting Ukraine’s Blind Veterans with Crypto” — as well as in the podcast “Impact Onchain: Bridging the Gap for Nonprofits and Changemakers”, featuring Ievgen Kushnir, Senior Programme Manager at the Alliance.

“For us, this campaign is not only about new funding sources, but about finding sustainable solutions at a time when traditional financing models are changing. We are using diverse tools to support those who need it most,”
notes Ievgen Kushnir.

The podcast also explores how emerging technologies, including Web3, can help nonprofits more effectively mobilise resources and build sustainable funding models, and presents practical tools for safely using new forms of donations.

The Alliance for Public Health continues to expand partnerships with international technology and philanthropic communities to ensure the sustainability of key programmes supporting vulnerable populations in Ukraine.

Other fundraising priorities

The Touch Point project is part of the Alliance’s broader response to the complex consequences of the war. In parallel, the organisation is mobilising support for other critical programmes, including:

• Mobile clinics providing screening, treatment, and referrals in frontline communities where access to healthcare is limited or unavailable;
• Lviv Habilitation Center — an inclusive, barrier-free space supporting the rehabilitation and reintegration of veterans and civilians with disabilities, focused on restoring independence and supporting families

As part of the campaign, the Alliance will also share stories of people receiving support, highlighting the real impact of these programmes and the needs they address.

How to support

• You can support the Alliance’s programmes today:
• via direct donations on the Alliance for Public Health platform:
  https://donate.aph.org.ua/en/
• via the international platform GlobalGiving (Touch Point)
• via alternative digital giving tools on the Endaoment platform (Touch Point)

as well as through other fundraising channels used within the campaign

Every contribution helps people affected by the war regain independence, dignity, and control over their lives — and supports sustainable solutions in public health in Ukraine.

Today, the European Commission announced  its intention to pledge a total of €700 million overall for the 8th Global Fund’s replenishment, subject to the outcome of the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework negotiations.

At a time when budgets are under strain, priorities are competing, and the world feels increasingly unstable, stepping up for people affected by HIV, TB and malaria around the world is very welcome and a clear sign of the EU’s ambition to lead on global health. This commitment will help save millions of lives and keep everyone safer, including in Europe. It will support Africa’s ability to lead on its own health priorities, and build resilience in places under severe stress. This includes countries affected by war, such as Ukraine, where the continuity of HIV and TB services is critical not only for emergency response, but also for long-term recovery. With many donors cutting back on aid, the Commission’s renewed support for the Global Fund sends a much-needed signal of leadership and solidarity.

While the announced €700 million is slightly lower than in the current funding period, we hope that ongoing EU budget discussions will make it possible for the Commission to go the extra mile and increase its pledge to €800 million. Such an increase would help soften the impact of shrinking health aid, speed up the rollout of new potentially transformational tools to eliminate the three diseases, and ensure the people most at risk are not left behind.

Finally, we hope this moment highlights the need for the EU to properly fund efforts that tackle global challenges in the next long-term budget. Defending the overall envelope of the Global Europe Instrument, introducing a benchmark for human development, and ensuring sufficient resources for global health will be essential. This will allow the European Commission to match its policy ambitions – including the forthcoming Global Health Resilience Initiative – with the funding needed to turn them into reality.

Aidsfonds | Friends of the Global Fund Europe | Alliance for Public Health | Global Health Advocates | The ONE Campaign

Despite entering the fifth year of the full-scale war, Ukraine’s tuberculosis (TB) response continues to function and save lives. In response to unprecedented challenges—including damaged infrastructure, the displacement of millions of people, and limited access to healthcare—healthcare workers, civil society organizations, and international partners are finding new solutions to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment for those who need it most.

In 2025, programs supported by the Alliance for Public Health demonstrated tangible results:

• over 75,000 people from vulnerable groups were screened for tuberculosis;
• 1,159 TB cases were detected — 100% of patients initiated treatment;
• TB detection efficiency among key populations improved by 16%;
• the rate of patients lost to follow-up decreased to 4%;
• over 5,000 TB cases have been diagnosed among key populations since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Particular attention was given to the most vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), among whom 21 times more TB cases were detected in 2025 compared to 2021—due to active case finding and expanded access to services.

A comprehensive approach combining community-based active case finding, contact investigation, mobile clinics, telemedicine, and community support enables early diagnosis, continuity of treatment, and reduced transmission—even in frontline regions.

The integration of mental health into TB care became one of the key achievements of 2025: thousands of patients received psychological support, significantly improving treatment adherence and outcomes.

The report also highlights innovative approaches, including:

• mobile clinics and small outreach teams in remote and de-occupied communities;
• digital solutions (Help24, TWIIN) ensuring access to services during the war;
• the development of community-led monitoring and legal support for patients.

The report also features patient stories demonstrating how the combination of medical, psychological, and social support transforms lives and helps overcome barriers to treatment.

The full report is available at: http://aph.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/World-TB-Day-2026-ENG.pdf

How can digital tools help support people living with HIV during war?

Join an upcoming webinar hosted by HivNorge, Positiiviset ry / HivFinland, and Alliance for Public Health (Ukraine) to learn how innovative digital solutions are helping ensure access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Ukraine.

During the webinar, Tetiana Deshko and Maria Malakhova from the Alliance for Public Health will present two key initiatives:

• Help24 TeleHealth — a digital platform connecting patients with healthcare professionals online

• TWIIN — an AI-based digital assistant designed to provide trusted health information and support

These tools are particularly important for people affected by the war, including internally displaced persons and refugees, as well as vulnerable communities such as sex workers and people who inject drugs.

Speakers will also discuss:

• digital healthcare in times of war

• privacy and data protection

• how digital services can reach vulnerable communities

Over the past 25 years, Alliance for Public Health has become one of the leading organizations in the HIV response in Ukraine and internationally.

Register by March 24, 16:00 CET

The webinar will be held in English and will include time for questions.

Registration: https://hivnorge.no/kalender/innovativ-helsehjelp-i-ukraina-innovative-healthcare-in-ukraine/

This webinar is part of the project “Integrated health services in times of war. Experiences from Ukraine”, supported by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Alliance for Public Health has released a new report “25 Years of Lifesaving Impact. Four Years of Resilience in Wartime,” highlighting how Ukraine’s HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis programs have continued to operate during four years of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Since February 2022, Ukraine has faced unprecedented challenges. About 20% of the country’s territory remains temporarily occupied, more than 2,500 medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed, and 15 million people have been displaced. Despite this devastation, HIV and TB services in Ukraine have not collapsed — they have adapted, innovated and continued reaching people in need.

Over the past four years, more than 2 million people have benefited from services supported by Alliance for Public Health and its partners, helping to prevent a secondary public health crisis during the war.

“Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine is not only fighting for its territory — it is fighting for the right to protect human life under fire,” said **Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of Alliance for Public Health. “Resilience in Ukraine is not a slogan. Through community leadership, innovation and international solidarity, we have preserved epidemic control and supported more than two million Ukrainians during the war.”

Among the key results highlighted in the report:

• 17,426 new HIV cases detected by Alliance and partners — 42% of all cases nationwide
• 21,391 people supported to start or return to life-saving HIV treatment
• 5,167 TB cases diagnosed among key populations
• Mobile medical teams reaching 452 frontline and rural communities
• 6,730 patients accessing hepatitis C treatment

Mobile clinics have become a critical solution for delivering healthcare in frontline and de-occupied areas. Since 2022, Alliance teams have conducted 799 missions, providing integrated medical services to 29,400 people in hard-to-reach communities.

Digital platforms such as #HelpNOW and Help24 have also played a vital role in maintaining access to treatment, telemedicine consultations and psychosocial support for Ukrainians affected by the war.

The report also highlights Alliance’s humanitarian response, support for veterans and internally displaced people, and efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s public health institutions and community systems during wartime.

Read the full report:
https://aph.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Ukraine_4_Years_of_Resilience_Report.pdf

Explore Alliance’s 25-year impact:
https://stories.aph.org.ua/APH25/