Ukraine To Establish National HIV/AIDS, TB Coordinating Council

The Ukrainian government recently adopted a resolution to establish a national HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis coordinating council, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Tabachnik announced on Monday, ITAR-TASS reports. According to Tabachnik, the resolution requires all regional administrations in the country to encourage the creation of local HIV/AIDS and TB coordinating councils. In addition, the government plans to launch an HIV and TB prevention program, which is expected to cover a three-year period and aims to reach up to 50,000 people with medical assistance and treatment, Tabachnik said. He added the program likely will serve as the foundation for a legal act that will be approved at a governmental meeting. The national coordinating council's working group will include representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of the Interior and the National Security Service, Tabachnik said (ITAR-TASS, 12/11).