HIV/AIDS Spread in Russia - Essay Example

Nevertheless, as early as 1995, the russian government has already formulated russia’s Federal Law on HIV/AIDS. The main emphasis of such policy was more on prevention and health care rights for people with AIDS (hivpolicy.ru, 2007). Discrimination is one of the obstacles to effective treatment in Russia since many citizens feel” anger, disgust, or fear” against people affected by the virus (BBC News online, May 2004).

russia attends to its people by providing free antiretroviral therapy; however, there are cases of shortages because they do not produce their drugs which are expensive (UNAIDS, 2008). According to a joint report by WHO/AIDS/UNICEF in 2010, “only 16 to 24 per cent of adults and children are receiving antiretroviral therapy” even though it is free. A break in treatment is an obstacle because the patients develop drug resistance.

The incidence of HIV prevalence in russia is a serious matter because “it has the second highest prevalence in Eastern Europe and Eurasia" (usaid.gov). Most at-risk populations include women, sex workers, youth and even pregnant women. The situation is rather complicated by the high incidence of TB which makes HIV-affected people easily succumb to complications. Families are threatened by the disease since even children and pregnant women are at risk. The matter is also worsened by prevalent cases of drug addiction wherein HIV is acquired through needle exchange.

Presently, russia is being helped by various international organizations since as USAID, WHO and UN to promote HIV awareness among the population. However, many underlying issues must be addressed such as discrimination against people with HIV. Treatment cannot be successful without full support and stigma scares people with HIV to seek help. Also, drug addiction should be curbed as well as excessive sexual behaviour since this help spread the infection. russia needs a stronger moral fibre to begin attacking the root of the problem instead of seeking palliative measures that are more costly to undertake.