Promoting Testing for and Treatment of Communicable Diseases among Vulnerable Groups in the Kaliningrad Region (Russia)

The proposed project is aimed at promoting TB and HIV testing and treatment among members of vulnerable groups such as injecting drug users, former inmates released from prisons, and sex workers, through the enhanced cooperation among government-run medical and social institutions and NGOs. In this framework, medical institutions ensure provision of “low-threshold” services to the clients referred by the respective NGOs, the latter rely on peer recruitment mechanisms to attract members of vulnerable groups to health counselling, HIV and TB testing, and referrals to other medical services. NGO staff will also serve as case managers for those patients who volunteer to undergo medical treatment.

Ultimately, the project will contribute to reducing HIV and TB prevalence in Kaliningrad region of Russia.