Category: Resource Center

Dear friends and partners,

Over 25,000 services have been provided to Ukrainian refugees in more than 40 countries over the year and a half of HelpNowHUB’s existence.

Today we want to share important information related to the further work of the HelpNow Hub in response to the situation related to access to therapy and support for Ukrainian key population refugees both inside and outside the country.

We summed up the results and came to the conclusion that since the beginning of the war, HelpNow Hub has fulfilled its main mission and, having reacted immediately, acted as a link between internally displaced Ukrainians inside and outside the country and medical centers in the host countries, providing prompt life-saving assistance those who find themselves in such difficult conditions. 

Since July of this year, the German Hub (HelpNowDE) has stopped its activities. The entire flow of requests from representatives of Ukrainian refugees from key groups in this country has been redirected to HelpNow Service. Realizing the importance and relevance of its work, it continues to function since August on a volunteer basis to provide timely assistance to our compatriots located in all corners of the world. Reminder of communication channels:

– On Telegram https://t.me/helpnowbot or in your browser at https://web.telegram.org/ @helpnowbot

– E-mail: helpnowua@gmail.com

– Google form: https://bit.ly/3K9Tm4W

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aph.org.ua/

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoSprojectEECA

The Polish Hub (HelpNowPL) continues its work and accepts requests as usual. 

Thank you for your solidarity and valuable support to the HelpNow project. We are confident that your hard work and dedication will help us overcome the difficulties we have encountered on the way to our common goals.

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding these changes or the work of the HelpNow project in general, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always in touch through any of the above Service channels.

With respect and appreciation,

HelpNow Hub Team

Natalia (name changed) is a psychologist by profession. She has years of successful practice, recommendations, and grateful clients. The woman admits that even her experience cannot cover all the pain and despair she felt when she had to pack her things, leave her native Kyiv and go abroad with her minor daughter.

At the beginning of the war, they stayed in western Ukraine for some time. But the cost of renting a house there soon became unaffordable, so Natalia began to think about other options. “We stayed at the border with Poland for more than a day. We were told that this was not long – before that, people stayed there for three days.” After crossing, she and her daughter stayed with a friend in Krakow. The shelter was safe, but the woman did not want to become a burden, so she began to look at options for moving on. She chose Israel. “My classmates live there, but I wasn’t ready to tell them that I needed ART. So, while I was still in Poland, I was looking for ways to get registered there. I came across your service on the Internet and wrote to the contacts provided. And within a few hours, I received information from the manager about my request.” When Natalia moved to Israel, she called HelpNow’s partner organization, which helped her get registered and continue taking her medication without interruption. 

“Here, the attitude toward HIV-positive people is calm, I would even say emphatically equal. No unnecessary questions, everything is private and with a smile from the staff. There were no obstacles to receiving therapy. This helps a lot, especially against the background of a bunch of other concomitant problems. I am sincerely grateful for your help and ready to participate in the lives of Ukrainian refugees. Take care and good luck with your work!”

Currently, Mykhaylo’s family lives in Zolotonosha district, Cherkasy region. They are originally from Pryvillia, Severodonetsk district, Luhansk region. Mykhaylo, the father, and his son, Oleksandr, were forced to move from their hometown when the boy was diagnosed with a serious illness. Oleksandr was diagnosed with hepatitis C, and the family didn’t know where to start.

One day, Mykhaylo noticed an announcement in the “Humanitarian Aid” group about the HelpNow Service, which mentioned assistance for people with hepatitis C. He decided to reach out, hoping for support. “Your representative responded quickly to my message and provided helpful information on where and how to seek assistance. We followed all the recommendations for further comprehensive examination,” he says.

Thanks to the HelpNow service, Mykhaylo and Oleksandr managed to visit their family doctor and started following the recommendations for more detailed examinations. Tests were conducted, and the family visited the hepatitis clinic, where the doctor prescribed additional liver elastography and scheduled an appointment for the boy.

A few days later, Mykhaylo and Oleksandr returned to the doctor’s office with the examination results. Their son emerged from the medical office with six boxes of medication prescribed for treating hepatitis C. It was a great hope for victory over this cunning disease!

“There were some negative moments, particularly when they didn’t allow me to enter the doctor’s office with my son due to the infectious nature of the department. However, I later understood the necessity of these measures to prevent the spread of the disease. It is important to follow all the necessary procedures and recommendations to ensure proper treatment and the health of Oleksandr. We are immensely grateful for the assistance you provided,” Mykhaylo shares.

Thus, a new chapter began in the lives of Mykhaylo, Oleksandr, and their family. They are hopeful for victory over hepatitis C and are ready to fight for their son’s health, supporting each other on this challenging journey.

Maxym (name changed), is currently in the Czech Republic, near the town of Domazlice in the southwestern part of the country. He has a disability and requires ART as well. The young man is from the Kyiv region and has been registered at home for over 4 years. Maxim moved with his frail mother after intense shelling began in Kyiv.

“I did it for her – I would have stayed, but her safety and peace of mind are my priorities,” he says. Maxym says he was prepared for the move and had a supply of medication for almost two months. However, during their journey through Poland, they were robbed, and his backpack, which contained his medication among other things, was stolen.

“I was lucky that my documents were in my pocket. But I didn’t tell my mother about my need for ART so that she wouldn’t worry even more. But I clearly understood that time was running out and I needed to find those who could help.” The young man learned about the HelpNow service from acquaintances who had previously moved abroad and decided to try using their services.

“Almost immediately, I was provided with information about the nearest hospital, and they also asked if I needed additional services. I called the medical facility, explained the situation in English (I know a little bit), and they scheduled an appointment for the next day.” Maxym says that from then on, everything was like a kaleidoscope – it happened quickly and without any obstacles: he filled out a form, the doctor conducted an examination, asked about his medication, arranged for tests, and issued a prescription for a month. “They didn’t take any money or ‘gifts.’ They were kind people, and everything was very professional. Thank you for your work and the opportunity to help. Thanks to you, there was no interruption in my treatment, and my mother’s nerves remained intact. Take care!”

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

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  Anna

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/ 

#HelpNowPl kontynuuje swoją pracę iw tym trudnym czasie jesteśmy gotowi udzielić Ci informacji, koordynacji i wsparcia psychologicznego! Zależy nam na tym, aby nieść pomoc wszystkim, którzy jej potrzebują!

Dziś Polski Hub przygotował dla Was ważne informacje o dostępie do terapii substytucyjnej w Polsce. 

Substytucyjna terapia podtrzymująca (STP) to metoda pomocy osobom uzależnionym od narkotyków, które używają opiatów. Terapia substytucyjna jest uważana za jedną z najskuteczniejszych na świecie metod leczenia narkomanii. Podczas terapii substytucyjnej lekarze przepisują leki, które pomagają uniknąć zespołu odstawiennego i zaprzestania używania nielegalnych (ulicznych) narkotyków oraz poprawiają ogólny stan zdrowia. Wartość STP polega na tym, że może znacznie zmniejszyć ryzyko związane z iniekcjami (HIV, zapalenie wątroby, infekcje itp.), ustabilizować zdrowie, stać się bardziej aktywnym społecznie.

      Obywatele Ukrainy, którzy przybyli do Polski po 24 lutego 2022 r., mają prawo do bezpłatnej terapii substytucyjnej (STP) lub terapii podtrzymującej agonistami opioidów (TPAO) w Polsce. Aby otrzymać terapię, należy skontaktować się z jedną z przychodni STP znajdujących się najbliżej Twojej lokalizacji. Narodowe Centrum ds. Narkomanii informuje o utworzeniu Infolinii dla osób z Ukrainy, z którą można się skontaktować telefonicznie:

• ·         800 11 08 11 (bezpłatnie);
• ·         22 290 7000 (płatne według taryfy operatora).

Rozmowy na infolinii prowadzone są zarówno w języku ukraińskim, jak i rosyjskim. Codziennie od 16:00 do 21:00.

      Instytucją koordynującą programy STP w Polsce jest Krajowe Biuro Do Spraw Przeciwdziałania Narkomanii, będące częścią nowopowstałego Krajowego Centrum Przeciwdziałania Uzależnieniom : https://www.kbpn.gov.pl/portal

      Na tej stronie znajdziesz regularnie aktualizowaną listę punktów STP: https://www.kbpn.gov.pl/portal?id=107094

Dostępność dokumentacji medycznej z programu STP na Ukrainie znacznie przyspieszy procedurę wydawania leku. W przypadku braku dokumentacji medycznej leczenie zostanie przepisane zgodnie z zasadami danego punktu STP

      Możesz zgłosić się o pomoc i dodatkowe pytania do naszego Polskiego hubu HelpNowPl, które 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  Anna

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/ 

“I think back and think – G-d sent me you!” – Iryna fled Kharkiv in March 2022, when the shelling began. At first, she hid in basements, sleeping in her clothes, sometimes on mattresses, sometimes just on the floor. But having serious health problems (including musculoskeletal problems), at some point, she realized that she could no longer ‘run’ like that, and the situation in the city was becoming extremely difficult. On 8 March, Iryna was already on the train to Uzhgorod, intending to reach Slovakia. “All the time I was traveling and later, already at the border, I tried to convince myself that it was just a nightmare. Those queues, old people with grandchildren, people with animals in their arms… I will never forget it!”

In Slovakia, she was met by volunteers who helped her get to Bratislava. But the story did not end there: Iryna needed ART and had very little with her. “One of the volunteers gave me the contacts of your Service, so I wrote on Facebook. I was quickly given the contact of a clinic that accepts Ukrainian refugees, and I went to them. At first, I faced a language barrier – there were no interpreters and the administration only spoke Slovak. I just gave up, I was desperate. But I was glad to get your help – I was given contacts of a local NGO, which helps our people. Iryna was assigned a volunteer who spoke the language, and together they went to the clinic. Almost immediately a doctor saw her, did some tests, and prescribed therapy: first for a month, then for three months. And so, spring passed, followed by summer. “Whatever news came from Kharkiv, I knew I wanted to go home. And at the end of July, I was already on my way to Ukraine. And though it is still not easy, the awareness that I am in my home country helps immensely. People try to support each other. I am registered again; I got a job. Let’s live!”

Yelyzaveta’s story is a vivid example of the resilience and strength of Ukrainian women. When she was 8 months pregnant, on March 9 last year, she left her native Mykolaiv to get to Estonia. The journey took more than a week – first to Moldova (she couldn’t go through Lviv because there was no place in the trains even for standing). Then from Chisinau to Warsaw, and then to Tallinn. She doesn’t understand how she decided to take such a bold step, as she was afraid to go because she didn’t know what would happen with therapy abroad (she had been taking ART for over 8 years and didn’t want to put her unborn child and herself at risk by interrupting it). And she had only three months’ worth of medication on hand. However, she found the contacts of the Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EPHV) and when she got to Tallinn, she called them the very next day.

“They met with me right away – they showed me where the AIDS center was, staff accepted me there, did all the tests, prescribed therapy, and even waited to take me to my place of residence… I was amazed! I was constantly supported before and after the birth. After my son was born, he also underwent all the tests – the child was healthy! At the age of one, he was deregistered. By the way, for all parents who are registered here in Estonia and have children under one year old, meals for the kids are free! They didn’t charge me a cent for the delivery, the ward, or the baby’s things. I thank everyone and especially EPHV and your Service for such care and attitude. For not leaving people alone with their problems. I want to live and go forward! Thank you!”

People who have left “hell” – the places where the fiercest battles are fought in Ukraine – have one thing in common: they talk quietly as if someone is sleeping next to them. And you immediately feel – they are in so much pain that they don’t have enough strength even for emotions.

Roman (name changed) is from Severodonetsk. 70% of the city was destroyed by the russian aggressors and it is under their occupation for the second time (after 2014). When the war started, he took his family and took them to the village. He says that they ran away in their underwear literally. There was no time for medicine (Roman needs OST and was registered on the site), and everything was left at home. But it was not calm outside the city either – within a week, the people of LNR came there. The family decided to go to Europe, but the only way was through russia. Roman managed to persuade a familiar taxi driver and he took everyone to the border. There, the family was received by volunteers who took them by bus to the Rostov region, then to Tver, where they were accommodated in a hostel. The conditions were terrible, Roman says that in the second week, they started coming and persuading him to make Russian passports. “When they heard that we are not going to do this and plan to go home after the victory, they started offering money. We refused, and I understood – we must run away as quickly as possible.” In the telegram, the man found a group of volunteers helping Ukrainians to leave russia. He wrote and after a short time, they had bus tickets. They were taken secretly through Estonia, then transited through Latvia, Germany… Until they reached Belgium. There they were accepted by the Red Cross and settled in the town of Halen in a social apartment. It was May 1, 2022.

When asked about the OST, Roman does not hide that he had an interruption. In russia, he had to buy street methadone, and travel 300 km to Moscow. After settling in Belgium, he had nothing with himself, so he went to Germany to get heroin (in Belgium you can only buy “speeds” or cocaine on the street). “But my goal is to register and continue treatment. So I started to “google” where to find help for people like me abroad. That’s how I found the HelpNow service. I wrote in Telegram and immediately received a message asking me to explain my situation and where exactly I am. You selected the nearest clinic for me, where they didn’t even ask for any medical records there – I just had to fill out a form and make an appointment with a doctor. Two days later, he examined me, did tests, and issued a prescription. Now I just have to go to the pharmacy every day – I have it in the house next door.

Belgians are cheerful, everyone I met here – from the salesmen in the store to the staff of the clinic – was positive. Neighbors come to visit, help, and invite others to their homes. And although it is so good here, and at home, everything is destroyed, we will not stay – we want to go back. I would also like to add that the need for such services as yours is very high. Many of our people are going to other countries and many need to be helped. Thank you and Glory to Ukraine!”

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

Such people can be described in one word – Hero. Ihor is a military man, not by profession, but by the call of his heart. A true patriot, on the first day of the war, 24 February 2022, he was at the military enlistment office in the morning. He says he told his mother about his decision when he was appointed and was at his post. The man held a weapon until June when he sustained a concussion and was sent to Estonia for treatment. The soldier was diagnosed with an internal hematoma and was told to prepare for skull trepanation. At the same time, Ihor started looking for contacts where he could receive ART – at home, in Mykolaiv, he had got it for over 3 years. Although he had 3 months of therapy with him, he was afraid of interrupting it.

“I found the contacts of Eesti HIV-positiivste võrgustik (EHPV) on the Internet. When I called, I was pleasantly surprised – they came to the hospital the same day. Later, I made an appointment with a doctor who did a full examination, sent me for tests and immediately prescribed ART for three months. No problems and it’s a pleasant surprise.”

When asked about his next surgery, it seems that the soldier is not used to complaining. He only says that the pain is sometimes so severe that it prevents him from breathing freely, but immediately adds that as soon as it passes, he will return to his brothers, to the front. “I have already told the commander about this. Let them wait – we will celebrate the victory together!”