In 2025, a new three-year regional project with a budget of $5.5 million was launched, aimed at improving the resilience of healthcare systems in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The “iSoS: Empowering and Innovations” project aims to build sustainable and effective healthcare systems to combat HIV in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions, with a focus on four countries: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Tajikistan, as well as SEE subregion.

Project Goals:

  • Increase access to HIV prevention services among key populations.
  • Eliminate human rights-related barriers to access to HIV services for key populations.
  • Strengthen healthcare systems and attract additional investments for sustainable epidemic control.

Andreas Tamberg, Portfolio Manager at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, emphasized the uniqueness and potential of the project: “The regional #iSoS grant leverages the region’s expertise and resources to achieve results where national programs alone fall short. This collaboration enables countries to effectively implement best practices and solutions, as well as maximize the use of limited resources.”

Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Health, emphasised the vital importance of partnerships: “This project is the result of unprecedented partnership in EECA: of leading regional and national communities, governmental structures, technical agencies, and civil society at both regional and national levels. This is a vast richness of EECA expertise, that, by working collaboratively and integrating new technologies, creates healthcare solutions that are both innovative and sustainable.”

Sergii Filippovych, Director of the iSoS Regional Project, highlighted the importance of innovations:
“Building resilient healthcare systems in the EECA region requires innovative solutions. Digitalisation is central to our approach, helping expand outreach, improve service delivery, and reduce costs. Key innovations include the DHIS2 database system and TWIIN, an AI-based digital social worker available 24/7 at twiin.aph.org.ua. Accessible from any device, TWIIN offers expert guidance on HIV, tuberculosis, addictions, and mental health. By integrating tools like DHIS2 and TWIIN, we aim to enhance the efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability of healthcare services, strengthening their resilience to future crises.”

Stela Bivol, WHO Regional Office for Europe: “In these times of permacrisis and never ending challenges in the WHO European region, the continued Global Fund’s support to EECA regional priorities is a lifeline. This important support will catalyse uptake of WHO recommended HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and testing approaches and make available critical strategic information. This will ensure that key populations programs are front and center in regional ending AIDS efforts.” 

The project will focus on utilizing best practices in budget advocacy and attracting additional investments. Special attention is given to digital technologies, which will help respond effectively to crises and ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.

The project is a collaboration of organizations under the leadership of the Alliance for Public Health, working alongside other partners such as 100% Life, the Central Asian Association of People Living with HIV, SEE RCN, WHO European Office, EHRA, ECOM, SEH, ENPUD, the Regional Migrant Health Group, and ECECACD. These partners bring together regional networks and expertise to address HIV-related challenges in the region effectively.

Official web-page: https://isos.aph.org.ua/

CONTACTS:

  • Project Director: Sergii Filippovych, filippovych@aph.org.ua
  • PR & Communications: Inna Gavrylova, gavrylova@aph.org.ua

Regional digest:
mailchi.mp/c3d6f54d94c5/sos-20-summing-up-of-18117661