A/HRC/10/47
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HIV with some 9,304 people currently living with HIV. Access to health care is considered a
human right, and universal and free access to health-care services is available in Cuba. The
Government is committed to tackling the social determinants of vulnerability to HIV,
non-discrimination and equal access to social services in the community. The main pillars of
the national programme on HIV/AIDS prevention and control are education/prevention,
diagnosis/research, and epidemiological surveillance and care. The programme guarantees
universal access to treatment for those who require it, facilitated by the production of generic
antiretroviral treatments, and in addition targeted interventions have been developed for youth,
men who have sex with men, women, sex workers, and people living with HIV. Vulnerable
groups also participate in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of programmes on HIV which
affect them.
8.
According to information provided by the Government of Cyprus, people living with HIV
are entitled by law to free care if they are citizens or belong to special groups such as political
refugees. This care includes HIV testing and counselling, social support and antiretroviral
therapy. The current national strategic plan on HIV aims to prevent the sexual transmission of
HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); reduce harm-related drug use; prevent prenatal
transmission; prevent HIV transmission through blood and blood products, tissue and organ
transplants, and skin piercing procedures; provide health care based on the latest international
standards in counselling, clinical management and laboratory testing; reduce the personal and
social impact of HIV; and protect human rights.
9.
The Government of Finland provided its 2008 progress report on the implementation of the
Declaration of Commitment prepared for the 2008 High-level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. The report
highlights that for the first 10-15 years of the epidemic, HIV affected mostly men who have sex
with men and HIV incidence and prevalence in Finland was among the lowest in western
European countries. However, the situation changed in 1998, when an outbreak was recorded
among injecting drug users mainly in the capital area. By 2006-2007, the incidence rate had risen
and heterosexual sex had become the main mode of transmission. Finnish national policy entitles
residents to social and health-care services on an equal basis, and HIV testing, counselling,
treatment and care is provided free of charge. Targeted safer sex programmes and health care
for sex workers have been developed. Since 2004, primary and secondary education from the age
of 11 has included education on sexual and reproductive health. The Act on the Status and Rights
of Patients (1992/785) applies to AIDS patients and guarantees the right to receive information,
care and treatment, as well as the right to make informed decisions about treatment. HIV is
covered under the Communicable Diseases Act (1986/583) and is classified as a notifiable
communicable disease, but does not permit testing or treatment without consent.
10. The Government of Greece indicated that in 2007, national action plans on sexual and
reproductive health and HIV/AIDS and STIs were developed. The action plan on HIV/AIDS and
STIs includes: prevention measures with a special focus on women which includes promotion of
the female condom, awareness raising, addressing violence against women and sexual abuse;
prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT); HIV prevention for young people aged
15-25 years by incorporating sex education in school curricula, organizing mass media
awareness-raising campaigns and by monitoring behavioural change; and addressing stigma and
discrimination of people living with HIV through measures including the planned enactment of a
specific law on HIV.
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