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On November 22, at a meeting in Minsk, Belarus, countries of the Eastern European and Central Asian region signed a statement on expanding access to affordable and high-quality medicines and diagnostic technologies in the field of HIV, tuberculosis and viral hepatitis (Minsk 2). In the Statement, the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia pledge to immediately use the best international practices and available tools to ensure quality, safety and efficacy, as well as to reduce prices for essential drugs and diagnose HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis C in the region. The statement, among other things, provides for a review of procurement mechanisms, the use of international and joint procurement and consultation and pricing negotiations with drug suppliers. “In Minsk, the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia have taken a number of new, significant and urgent measures. The countries will explore and share the experience of fulfilling the commitments of Minsk 2, which will help reduce prices, improve the quality of health services and save lives, ”said Tim Martino, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director for Programmatic Affairs. During the meeting, the mayor of Minsk signed the Paris Declaration on ending the AIDS epidemic in big cities, becoming the fourth city in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to join a network of more than 300 cities and regions around the world, accelerating the response to HIV and achieving goals 90 90-90 by 2020 “The Minsk Declaration of the Paris Declaration gives an impetus to our movement towards the goal of stopping the spread of HIV by mobilizing state structures, the production sector and public organizations,” said Belarusian Health Minister Valery Malashko. Belarus continues to make progress in the fight against AIDS. In 2016, the World Health Organization confirmed the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Belarus. Belarus implements a full range of HIV policies and programs with state support and funding, including harm reduction programs for injecting drug users and antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV. In 2017, Belarus began to introduce self-testing for HIV, selling tests in pharmacies. “As a civil society, we believe that the simplest universal solution for ensuring access to resources is a change in political principles and priorities. Life must be a priority, ”said Dmitry Sherembey from the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV. Also during the meeting, eight international organizations signed an agreement on the establishment of a regional interdepartmental group to support coordinated efforts and the implementation of Minsk 2, focusing on achieving results and interaction at the country and regional levels. “Overcoming the lag in cost-effective, equitable and sustainable access to high-quality medicines and diagnostic technologies requires further effective cooperation and political leadership in Eastern Europe and Central Asia,” said Juzhanna Yakab, Regional Director of the European Bureau of the World Health Organization |
