In March and April, the New Life team administered 161 rapid HIV tests within corrective services in the city of Ekaterinburg under the project “Comprehensive Support for At-Risk Groups.” Five tests were positive. Now the New Life team is working to support these newly diagnosed individuals in the Oblast AIDS Center.
During the pre-test counseling, clients receive a lot of new information, recognize if they have been in high-risk situations, and learn how to avoid them.
New Life Foundation staff member Artem says:
“In one day during testing at the corrective services in Leninsky district, two of the tests came back positive. Both participants agreed to give their contact information and complete an agreement to receive medical and social support.
While completing the paperwork, it came up that they do not have a propiska (residency permit) or registration in Sverdlovsk oblast. We arranged with the corrective services workers to have them provide documentation stating that these individuals live in Ekaterinburg and should be registered here.
The next day, the two individuals came to our office and we accompanied them to the AIDS Center, where they were placed on the register according to the documentation from corrective services. Now they are being examined by specialists and waiting for their ART appointment.”