The first and the second phases of the Project “Scaling up accessible and effective HCV treatment through community-based treatment model for most vulnerable populations in the resource-constrained Ukraine” (hereinafter – the Project) stipulated provision of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment to 750 patients. As of 1 May 2016, 782 patients received access to HCV treatment in 19 healthcare institutions of Ukraine. Planned indicators of the two phases have been achieved. Meanwhile, enrolment of patients for the second phase of the project is still in progress and it is expected that in May – in the beginning of June about 360 more patients will be enrolled.
The success of innovative treatment is proven by sustained virologic response, which has been achieved by 92% of patients. High treatment outcomes among the members of vulnerable populations is built on the social support of patients throughout their therapy, which is provided thanks to the successful cooperation of non-governmental organizations and healthcare institutions within the implementation of HCV treatment model at the community level.
Characteristics of Project participants are as follows: 84% have HIV-positive status, 96% of them receive ART. 80% of them are people who inject drugs, with 9% of them being OST program clients. 13% of the Project participants had previous treatment failures when using two-component regimens: pegylated interferon + ribavirin.
The list of eligibility criteria of HCV treatment project and the list of healthcare institutions to offer HCV treatment as well as NGOs providing social support to patients may be found here.
Besides, in April two trainings were conducted for doctors and social workers involved into the Project to enhance knowledge and improve skills required for the effective Project implementation. Overall, 45 participants from 17 regions of Ukraine took part in 2 two-day trainings. Participants of the trainings highly praised urgency of the topic, importance of the information received and the skills obtained.