Month: March 2023

Now Svitlana is an HIV peer consultant in Estonia. But until last year, she, like many Ukrainians, lived with her family at home in the Cherkasy region and did not plan to move to another country. After several months of war and much thought, the woman supported her husband’s decision to go to Narva (he is from there). However, the Ukrainian border guards did not release the man, although he was not liable for military service. Svitlana had no choice but to move on with the child herself. So they got to Tallinn.

At home, our heroine has been taking ART since 2017 and had therapy for 3 months at the time of her departure to the country. However, already after the first 30 days, she decided to undergo an initial medical examination at the clinic, where she spoke about the need to continue treatment. She was given a referral to an infectious disease specialist, the queue for whom was … 6 (!) months ahead. “I confess that I was in despair when I heard this news. I couldn’t wait, I just didn’t have so much time. In the refugee center, I saw a leaflet about helping people living with HIV and decided to make a call to the indicated contacts. After that, the Estonian Network of People Living with HIV contacted me the same day. I told them where am I from, and about my situation. And thanks to their care, in the same month I got an appointment with an infectious disease specialist. I was given therapy for 3 months, there was no interruption, they did tests – everything was ok. Moreover, the Network offered me to work as a peer consultant, for which I am extremely grateful! Thank you for your understanding, help, and support. It means so much!»

Anzhelika (name changed) is a very sociable and open person – she worked all her life in her native Chernihiv in the field of sales and loves her home, works, and friends. All that remains in Ukraine in 2022. The woman has been living in Germany for a year and says that although she does not hear the sounds of explosions and people’s screams, she has not been able to acclimatize and is waiting for the next opportunity to return. “Previously, many people wanted to move abroad. I was never one of them and did not understand this. Why look for happiness somewhere, if it is nearby, at home? That’s probably why it’s so difficult for me now.”

When she left Chernihiv, Anzhelika had a month’s supply of ART in her hands – the doctor managed to give it to her. And while she was in the refugee camp, she already started looking for information about local HIV centers. The problem was in the language – almost everything on the Internet in German, so it was difficult to understand.

The HelpNow service contacts were suggested by volunteers – the woman says that it became her “life jacket”: within a day she had the address and phone number of a conveniently located clinic. “Once there, I was pleasantly surprised – they listened carefully to my broken English, and asked me to wait for the doctor. Then everything went very quickly: reception, passing of tests, dispensing of medicines (for three months).

It is psychologically difficult for many to realize that you are not at home, not with your relatives. But such a qualified, pleasant attitude from your service and local staff helps to cope and wait for the day when we will be able to return. Thank you!”

*the photo for the publication was taken from open stocks/sources, the portaited person  is not related to the publication.

#HelpNowPL continues to bring you the real stories about real people. These are stories about how multifaceted life can be for each of us: with achievements and losses, with victories and difficulties, with joys and pain. We hope that in them you will find solace, support, drive to fight, strength not to give up, and even energy to make changes. 

Andriy (name changed) contacted the #HelpNowPL hotline because he ran out of ART drugs and could not get them for free in Poland. He didn’t have a job, he didn’t have enough money to get a paid visit, and he also began to feel a strong deterioration in his general well-being.

At the time of the start of hostilities, Andrii was with his family in Poland, where he had been living with his family for some time. With the beginning of the war, Andriy, who had military experience behind him, decided to go to Ukraine and defend our country. In the summer, he was injured and hospitalized, where his HIV-positive status was discovered for the first time. At the time of the diagnosis, Andrii’s condition was very difficult, he was hospitalized for inpatient treatment at the AIDS center. There he received the necessary diagnosis and was prescribed antiretroviral therapy for three months.

Later, Andriy decided to go back to Poland, to his family. Unfortunately, he did not find support at home, neither with the earlier decision to go to war, nor with the acceptance of HIV-positive status. Troubles began in the family. As his physical and emotional condition was still not stable, he could not get a job. Eventually, he forgot about the need for lifelong ART and regular check-ups, and his condition continued to deteriorate. It was at this moment that he decided to turn to the Polish Hub for help.

In the process of accompanying Andrii, it became clear that he does not have access to medical insurance, as he is currently unemployed. He was denied the status of temporary protection in Poland because he previously had a “broken card”. Therefore, he could not even simply visit a doctor.

We found a way out in this situation as well: it was decided to help Andriy register with the “Uzhond” of labor and register as unemployed. This made it possible to renew access to insurance medicine and make an appointment with a doctor. The complexity of the situation also consisted in the fact that Andrii has a complex psycho-emotional state and post-traumatic stress disorder: today he wants to live, tomorrow he doesn’t. Sometimes he is ready to receive treatment and take steps in this direction, sometimes he is not. A psychologist of the project was connected to the cooperation, as well as a volunteer psychologist at the place of residence.

Our project specialist accompanied Andrii to the “work station” and to the doctor. Thanks to such a complex approach, when a consultant and a psychologist took part in the accompaniment, and as usual, Polish doctors went to our meeting and made an appointment with a doctor for the nearest time, with joint efforts we managed to provide help on time.

Andrii was hospitalized for examination and additional diagnostics. In connection with such a delay in seeking help, his condition worsened, and now he has complications with his vision. However, we have already come a long way together, and the first eye surgery is already scheduled for the beginning of March. Now we are waiting for the results of the examination, according to which the ATP will be re-appointed and renewed. Of course, there is still a lot of work ahead – both from our side and from Andrii’s side. This is commitment work, eye surgery, mental health recovery and stabilization. But we are sure that together we will be able to overcome even the most difficult situations. 

You can turn to our Polish Hub – HelpNowPl for help and additional questions, which is now working specifically for Ukrainian citizens from key communities who were forced to leave their homes due to the war and are currently in Poland.

If you need information about necessary treatment, testing, medical assistance, legal and social issues, or you need translation services or social support to institutions, psychological help:

call our hotlines:

+48 539 652 831 Anna-Nadia

+48 786 640 460 Alina

+48 721 752 114 Vita

+48 571 850 855 Natalia

Write to us in Telegram https://t.me/+BSIMGdN3WT41MTVi

Online doctor consultation https://help24.org.ua/uk/doctors/126?hasavailableconsultation=true

We are ready to provide you with informational and psychological support!

You can find additional and more detailed information on our website https://helpnow.aph.org.ua/

In six months of work, we at #HelpNowPL have learned to do the almost impossible.

“I was prepared for the worst, but thanks to the work of the service, I received the help in time”. 

Maxim (name changed) called the hotline two days before the New Year. Maksym is a client of a substitute therapy center in Ukraine. At the time of the appeal, he lived in a refugee camp in Warsaw. He only had a few days of medication left, and he needed to enroll in a substitution therapy program in Poland as soon as possible. Almost at the same time as him, another client, Ivan (name changed), who was also in Warsaw and waiting for a visa to Israel, approached us. He left Ukraine with a certain supply of medicines, but he did not expect such a long wait for a visa. Both were almost without drugs, and there are holidays ahead and many weekends when the facilities we need are closed. Also in Warsaw, due to the large number of refugees, there are long queues for registration. At the registry office, after long explanations about the urgency of the cases, they found the nearest possible doctor’s appointment in ten days.  

It is not the first time that the Polish side comes to meet us in such sensitive issues. This case is not exceptional. Our consultant Anna Arabinska participated in the conference “A person living with HIV, in the family and society”, which was held in Warsaw. She had the opportunity to meet and exchange contacts with Mr. Jacek Harmast, who, in addition to being a wonderful and sensitive person, is the president of the “Jump 93” Association and the program coordinator of the Office of the Addiction Ombudsman.

In this situation, we decided to turn to Mr. Jacek for help. The next day, Maksym and Ivan went to the doctor and received the necessary drugs. 

This is the incredible value of people with a sincere heart who help Ukrainian refugees, ordinary people who have lost housing, food, clothing, their normal everyday life, help to return comfort and safety, the opportunity to start a new life in new realities, or return home later.

You can turn to our Polish Hub – HelpNowPl for help and additional questions, which is now working specifically for Ukrainian citizens from key communities who were forced to leave their homes due to the war and are currently in Poland.

If you need information about necessary treatment, testing, medical assistance, legal and social issues, or you need translation services or social support to institutions, psychological help:

Call our hotline numbers:

+48 539 652 831 Anna-Nadia

+48 786 640 460 Alina

+48 721 752 114 Vita

Online doctor consultation https://help24.org.ua/uk/doctors/126?hasavailableconsultation=true

  Write to us in Telegram https://t.me/+BSIMGdN3WT41MTVi

We are ready to provide you with informational and psychological support!

You can find additional and more detailed information on our website https://helpnow.aph.org.ua/  

Today, #HelpNowPL continues to introduce you to the stories of our clients. We believe that stories inspire, convince, they can motivate us to do useful things, fight stereotypes, change the situation around us and change ourselves. 

“Thanks to the help of the Polish hub, everything happened carefully, consistently, calmly.”

Svetlana (name changed) lived in Chernihiv with her husband. They had no intention of going abroad until the last moment, all the more considering moving, even a temporary one, as a step into the unknown. There were many fears related primarily to access to treatment, providing housing, work… How to deal with this in a foreign country, without knowledge of the language, help?  

The situation of losing their job and the lack of options for earning money at home made them think about moving. It was decided to move to Poland.

Svitlana wanted to move with her husband, because she thought that she would not be able to adapt normally in a foreign country without having relatives and friends. The couple did not have enough money for the first time either. But after passing the medical commission, her husband did not receive permission to leave, and the issue became more complicated for Svetlana. Just as it makes no sense to stay in a city where there is no permanent job, but there is a rented apartment for which you have to pay. 

They turned to social workers in their city for informational assistance, to find out how Svetlana could move herself, whether someone could provide her with information and direct her to access to treatment, finding a job, housing. Social workers provided contacts #HelpNowPL. That’s how Svitlana became our client. 

Together we started preparing for departure. Svitlana received information about the necessary stock of medicines to take with her, about documents and hospital discharges that she may need when crossing the border and when she will be registered in Poland. While she was preparing all the documents for departure, the #HelpNowPL consultant was looking for a job for Svitlana in Poland. An employer was found who, subject to employment, provides housing. In our work, we encountered situations of unscrupulous employers and difficult living conditions, for example, a long distance to the nearest medical facility. Therefore, special attention was paid to the issue of employment.  

Subsequently, the documents for departure and the necessary stock of medicines were prepared, an employer was found, and Svitlana set off under the sensitive support of our consultant. Our client was met and immediately placed at the place of residence provided by the employer. The very next day, Svitlana was accompanied to all the necessary institutions for the registration of PESEL, financial assistance from the Polish government, and a bank account. The next step was to see a doctor and get antiretroviral drugs. 

Today, Svitlana has an apartment, a permanent job in Poland, she is registered and receives the necessary treatment, and has an appointment for an examination.

“I imagined moving to another country as a step into the unknown, but today I have everything for a fulfilling and peaceful life.” 

You can turn to our Polish Hub – HelpNowPl for help and additional questions, which is now working specifically for Ukrainian citizens from key communities who were forced to leave their homes due to the war and are currently in Poland.

If you need information about necessary treatment, testing, medical assistance, legal and social issues, or you need translation services or social support to institutions, psychological help: 

Call our hotline numbers:

+48 539 652 831 Anna-Nadia

+48 786 640 460 Alina

+48 721 752 114 Vita

Online doctor consultation https://help24.org.ua/uk/doctors/126?hasavailableconsultation=true

  Write to us in Telegram https://t.me/+BSIMGdN3WT41MTVi

We are ready to provide you with informational and psychological support!

You can find additional and more detailed information on our website https://helpnow.aph.org.ua/

“A huge thank you to the Wuppertal Clinic and Dr. Marushat personally!”

At the beginning of February, Natalya (name changed), who has been living in Germany since September 2023, contacted the #HelpNowDe team with a request. But before that, the client did not managed to contact the German health care system, even though she had health insurance. At that time, Natalya only had one day of therapy left, so it was necessary to react promptly.

Now in Germany, the process of registering Ukrainian patients is quite difficult compared to April and May. Most doctors require a referral from a family doctor and the personal presence of an interpreter during the appointment.

Considering this, the recording takes much longer and is more difficult, and they can be accepted only after a week or two.

It was very important for Natalya not to interrupt the therapy, so the #HelpNowDe team joined the solution of the problem in full and as quickly as possible. Our operator Oleksandra found the nearest clinic to the client in Wuppertal. It was this clinic (and especially Dr. Marushat) who repeatedly helped our clients, treated them very sensitively and attentively, answered our questions both during the day and at night. The saving grace was always that they did not ask for a referral and did not raise issues with insurance. And sometimes they even gave complete freedom of choice of time for our clients.

At the same time, the project team wrote and called clinics in other cities, as well as clarified the stock of therapy and was ready to send it to Natalya, since it was very important for the client not to interrupt her medication.

In one of the clinics, the doctors were ready to accept Natalya in almost two weeks – on February 14. However, they replied from Wuppertal that they were ready to accept the client the next day! Natalya said that the reception was as warm and professional as possible, and she received therapy for a whole month.

Our entire #HelpNowDE team is sincerely grateful to Dr. Marushat and the Wuppertal clinic for their sensitivity, kindness and professional approach! Together with our colleagues, we make every effort to help Ukrainian men and women who were forced to leave Ukraine after the start of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war. We work for the victory of our country! 

#HelpNowPL remains #1 among helping services, handling an incredible 1,531 requests! Moreover, 43.5% of the total number of requests related to social issues, and 29.2% – obtaining access to ART. 

More detailed information can be found in our infographic.

Remember! #HelpNow – help where you are!

Zapalenie wątroby to ostra lub przewlekła choroba, która atakuje wątrobę. Czynnikiem sprawczym zapalenia wątroby jest specyficzny wirus. Najczęstsze to wirusowe zapalenie wątroby typu A, B i C. Ale największym zagrożeniem jest wirusowe zapalenie wątroby typu C.

Około 15-30% pacjentów z przewlekłym wirusowym zapaleniem wątroby typu C rozwija w ciągu 20 lat marskość wątroby i jej powikłania, które mogą być śmiertelne. Niebezpieczeństwo zapalenia wątroby polega na tym, że we wczesnych stadiach choroby objawy kliniczne prawie nie istnieją i tylko testy medyczne mogą wykryć obecność wirusa w organizmie.

Jeśli podejrzewasz infekcję, zrób szybki test za pomocą szybkiego testu na wirusowe zapalenie wątroby lub poddaj się badaniu w specjalistycznym laboratorium.

Drogi przenoszenia WZW typu C:

1. Najczęściej – przez krew – przy wstrzykiwaniu narkotyków, wykonywaniu niebezpiecznych zastrzyków i inwazyjnych zabiegach medycznych, transfuzji krwi itp.

2. Rzadko – w przypadku stosunku płciowego bez zabezpieczenia, jeśli w nasieniu znajdują się zanieczyszczenia krwi, wydzieliny pochwy itp.

3.  Od matki do dziecka, w czasie ciąży i porodu. Nie przenosi się z mlekiem matki.

Jak zapobiegać infekcji:

• podczas wstrzykiwania narkotyków używać jednorazowych sterylnych igieł i strzykawek;
• zawsze zakładać prezerwatywę podczas stosunku płciowego;
• używać wyłącznie indywidualnych artykułów higieny osobistej (szczoteczki do zębów, maszynki do golenia, nożyczek do manicure itp.);
• korzystać z usług doświadczonych mistrzów wykonujących tatuaże, kolczyki, manicure i pedicure oraz używających zdezynfekowanych narzędzi.

Pamiętaj! Wirusowe zapalenie wątroby typu C może przebiegać bezobjawowo!

Same objawy zewnętrzne nie wystarczą do stwierdzenia obecności wirusa zapalenia wątroby typu C w organizmie. Jej objawy są często bardzo łagodne i mogą przypominać objawy innych chorób – szybkie przemęczanie się, złe samopoczucie, utrata apetytu, czasem zażółcenie białkówek oczu, powiększenie wątroby i śledziony.

Pamiętaj, wirus zapalenia wątroby typu C nie jest wyrokiem. Obecnie istnieją skuteczne leki do jego leczenia. Decyzję o rozpoczęciu leczenia i przepisaniu konkretnych leków może podjąć tylko lekarz po dogłębnym badaniu. Leczenie na czas może zmniejszyć ryzyko marskości wątroby i poprawić jakość życia człowieka. Leczenie powinno odbywać się pod stałym nadzorem lekarza!

Pacjenci z Ukrainy mają możliwość bezpłatnego zdiagnozowania przewlekłego wirusowego zapalenia wątroby typu B i C oraz leczenia (jeśli wynik jest pozytywny). Dodatkowo od 01.07.2022 lekarze rodzinni w Polsce mogą wystawiać skierowania na badanie wirusowego zapalenia wątroby typu C, a badanie to jest objęte ubezpieczeniem NFZ.

Lista placówek służby zdrowia w Polsce, w których można poddać się badaniu wstępnemu https://watrobanieboli.pzh.gov.pl/

Mapa placówek medycznych, w których leczy się wirusowe zapalenie wątroby typu C https://hcv.info.pl/index.php/lokalizacje-placowek/ 

Możesz zgłosić się o pomoc i dodatkowe pytania do naszego Polskiego hubu HelpNowPl, który obecnie działa specjalnie dla obywateli Ukrainy z kluczowych społeczności, którzy zostali zmuszeni do opuszczenia swoich domów z powodu wojny i są obecnie w Polsce.

Jeśli potrzebujesz informacji na temat niezbędnego leczenia, badań, opieki medycznej, kwestii prawnych i socjalnych, usług tłumaczeniowych lub wsparcia socjalnego dla instytucji, pomocy psychologicznej:

 Zadzwoń na nasze numery infolinii:

+48 539 652 831 Anna-Nadia

+48 786 640 460 Alina

+48 721 752 114 Vita

+48 571 850 855  Natalja

Napisz do nas w Telegramie https://t.me/+BSIMGdN3WT41MTVi 

Konsultacja lekarza online https://help24.org.ua/uk/doctors/126 

Jesteśmy gotowi udzielić Ci wsparcia informacyjnego i psychologicznego!

Dodatkowe i bardziej szczegółowe informacje znajdziesz na naszej stronie internetowej https://helpnow.aph.org.ua/