International Experts Discussed Efforts to Counter Spread of HIV in Context of Migration

On 12 November 2020, the International Organization for Migration, together with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Tajikistan, the AIDS Foundation (AFEW International) and the World Health Organization held a regional online dialogue “Migrants' Access to Essential Package of HIV Services: Progress and Opportunities in the Context of COVID-19”.

Secretary of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights, Executive Secretary of the IPA CIS Board of Experts on Public Health Evgenia Vladimirova represented the IPA CIS at the event. She informed the participants about the legislative measures aimed at ensuring equal access to HIV prevention and treatment services in the CIS member nations, including in the context of migration.

Evgenia Vladimirova said that upon the initiative of the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights, more than 20 model laws and other documents in the field of migration were adopted. She also presented the draft Model Law on Ensuring Equal Access to Services for the Prevention and Treatment of HIV Infection in the CIS Member Nations.

Evgenia Vladimirova drew the participants' attention to the development of a comprehensive model Migration Code for the CIS Member Nations. The draft of the Code will be considered by the IPA CIS Permanent Commission on Social Policy and Human Rights on 26 November 2020.

The participants showed great interest in the presented review of the model laws and expressed intention to use them in their work.

The dialogue “Migrants' Access to Essential Package of HIV Services: Progress and Opportunities in the Context of COVID-19” was attended by health professionals, scientists and experts, representatives of international organizations. During the event, they exchanged updates on existing policies on migration and HIV, new initiatives in this field, best practices and lessons learned.