Tag: HIV

A new life in Poland: work, adaptation and continuity of treatment — Andrii’s story

“I knew about my status back in Ukraine. Here, only my wife knows about it. For me, this is medical information that should not determine how other people treat me,” says Andrii (name changed).

Andrii arrived in Poland with his wife after the start of the full-scale war. Kraków was their first city, but they were unable to stay there for long. The couple moved several more times, primarily because of difficulties finding affordable housing and stable work. Eventually, Andrii found a job as a welder on a construction site. He says the work is not easy, but today he is satisfied that he can support himself and his family and gradually build a life in a new country.

Andrii knew about his HIV status before moving, and once in Poland, continuing his treatment became one of the important issues. At first, he needed information about where to go and how to access the necessary medical care within an unfamiliar system. The Fundacja HelpNowHUB team helped him with this by providing the necessary guidance on continuing his treatment.

After his initial medical examination, Polish doctors made some adjustments to Andrii’s treatment regimen. “As I understand it, the standards or approaches to treatment here are slightly different. The local doctor made some changes to my regimen. I feel well, so I’m satisfied with the result.”

The language barrier gradually stopped being a problem as well. Andrii learned Polish mainly through everyday life and at work. Many Ukrainians work alongside him on the construction site, and at first they helped with translation and explained words he did not understand. His employer helped too. “He already speaks almost Ukrainian himself,” Andrii laughs. “So the influence goes both ways: we learn Polish, and they learn Ukrainian from us.”

Andrii does not tell either his colleagues or acquaintances about his HIV status. In Poland, he has not encountered situations in which he was forced to disclose this information. His wife remains the only person he has consciously chosen to tell about his status. “My wife needs to know — that is obvious to me. But I don’t tell anyone else. Even my mother and sister don’t know. I know my family, and I think they might judge me without even trying to understand first. So I don’t see any point in discussing it.”

After several moves and searches for housing and work, the couple’s life has finally become more stable. Andrii works, receives the treatment he needs, speaks Polish, and feels much more confident in a country that was completely unfamiliar to him just a few years ago. “I’m happy with everything now. I work, I receive treatment, and I feel well. And I’m very grateful that I can live and work here. I think that is the most important thing.”

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This publication was prepared by Fundacją HelpNow HUB within the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Fundacja Step by Step and Fundacja Res Humanae, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

HIV Poland

“I just want to live my life”: Tetiana’s story

“When the war started, there was really no question of whether to leave or stay. We lived in a small town in the Sumy region, very close to the border. We simply had to quickly pack the essentials, documents, medicines — and leave,” says Tetiana (name changed).

She arrived in Poland with her child almost immediately after the start of the full-scale war. At that moment, the future was completely uncertain: a new country, an unfamiliar system, the need to find housing, while being responsible not only for herself but also for her child.

Tetiana is living with HIV and regularly takes antiretroviral therapy. Before leaving Ukraine, she managed to take a supply of medication with her. This later proved extremely important, as obtaining all the necessary documents in Poland took time.

“It was a good thing I had my medication with me. It took some time to sort out the documents and understand the system. My biggest concern was not to be left without treatment. When you arrive in a new country, at first you simply have no idea where to go or who to contact.”

During this period, Tetiana received support from volunteers, and when she needed help with continuing her treatment, she contacted Fundacja HelpNowHUB. The team helped her navigate the Polish system and provided the necessary information on where exactly to go to receive medical care and continue her ART.

“It was important for me that I didn’t have to search for everything on my own, without knowing where to start. I already knew which hospital to contact and what to do next. When there is so much uncertainty around you, this kind of practical help is very reassuring.”

Gradually, life became more predictable. Tetiana found housing, got a job, and obtained health insurance. She is learning Polish, occasionally attends meetings with other Ukrainians, and continues to take her treatment regularly. She describes her health as stable.

“I think I’ve gotten used to life here. I have a job, I have insurance, my child is with me, and I receive my treatment. I’m not planning to return for now. To be honest, there is practically nowhere to return to.”

Tetiana speaks calmly about her HIV status but considers it private information that she is under no obligation to share unless necessary. While still in Ukraine, she experienced negative attitudes from some relatives after her former husband disclosed her status to them. That is why today she decides for herself whom to tell and under what circumstances.

“I’m not hiding it because I’m ashamed. I simply don’t understand why people who have nothing to do with it should know about my status. I take my medication and look after my health. This is my medical information.”

In Poland, Tetiana does not feel constant pressure or any requirement to disclose her HIV status. Her workplace does not require any related medical certificates, and the issue has never arisen when renting accommodation. Outside healthcare settings, her HIV status has practically no relevance to her everyday life. Most of her interactions with Polish people today are through work, shops, everyday matters, and healthcare.

“When I buy food or clothes, when I work or rent a home, my HIV-positive status doesn’t change anything. I’m simply a mother who works, raises her child, and tries to live a normal life.”

During her time in Poland, Tetiana has gone from urgently leaving a border town with her child and a supply of medication in her suitcase to building a life that once again has a sense of stability and a familiar daily rhythm. At the beginning of this journey, it was particularly important for her not to be left alone with the challenge of continuing her treatment.

“At that time, I needed one very simple thing — to understand where to go so that I wouldn’t be left without treatment. HelpNowHUB helped me do that. After that, everything else was gradually resolved as well. I’m grateful that at that moment there were people by my side who knew how to help.”

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HIV Poland

“First, you need to learn to trust”: Marta’s story

“I don’t hide my HIV status from my parents. But no one else knows about it,” says Marta (name changed).

A year and a half ago, Marta moved to Poland. She had already started university in Ukraine, and after relocating she was able to continue her studies. She is now completing her first year at a Polish higher education institution.

Alongside her studies, Marta is learning Polish, gradually getting to know her new country, and trying to adapt to life far from home.

She has been aware of her HIV status for many years and says she has consciously chosen not to disclose it.

“Only my parents know. At the moment I don’t have a partner, so I don’t see any reason to tell anyone else. It’s my personal life and my decision.”

After moving to Poland, one of the first challenges she faced was understanding how the local healthcare system works.

That was when Marta contacted Fundacja HelpNowHUB.

“It was important for me to understand how to continue my treatment, where to go, and how the system works. Your team helped me find answers to questions that seemed very complicated at the time. When you find yourself in a new country, even simple information can become tremendous support.”

As time went on, Marta began using the Polish healthcare system. However, she found herself having to insist on receiving additional preventive examinations.

“In Ukraine, having a routine annual gynecological check-up was completely normal for me. Here, I waited almost three months for an appointment through the National Health Fund (NFZ), and then I was told, ‘But nothing hurts, does it? Why would you need any tests?’ I still don’t know whether this reflects the way the local healthcare system works or whether I was simply unlucky with that particular doctor.”

Despite this experience, Marta is not rushing to conclusions.

“My main goal right now is to complete my studies, learn the language, and find my place here. First, I simply want to get settled. There’s also one important thing I’ve learned: asking for help is completely normal. Sometimes all it takes is getting the right information at the right moment to stop being afraid. That’s exactly what happened to me. I’m truly grateful to the HelpNowHUB team for their support.”

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HIV Poland

“I survived so I could tell others: there is a way out.” Lesia’s story from Germany

“When I was diagnosed, it felt as if my life was over. Today, I want people to know: even after the hardest trials, it is possible to live, dream and build a new life,” says Lesia.

Her story began long before the full-scale war. After a difficult divorce, Lesia became seriously ill. She had a constant fever, rashes and weakness. A doctor advised her to get tested for HIV. “I never imagined this could have anything to do with me. When I received the result, I simply did not understand what to do next. I was completely emotionally devastated.”

In 2019, she was registered at the Kyiv City AIDS Centre (Hospital No. 5) and immediately started antiretroviral therapy.

It was then that people appeared beside her who quite literally saved her.

“I was not left alone. Psychologist Tetiana, civil society organisations such as Kyianka, and people who had already gone through this journey supported me every day. Without them, I do not know whether I would have coped.”

But the most difficult trials were still ahead. Because HIV was diagnosed late, her immune system had almost stopped working. Lesia developed tuberculosis, which affected not only her lungs but also her brain.

“When I was hospitalised, the doctors said there was almost no chance. At one point, my CD4 cell count had dropped to just four. I lost my memory and, after treatment, I literally had to learn to write again. But I survived.”

A year and a half of treatment, dozens of pills every day, injections and long rehabilitation – she was able to get through all of this thanks to discipline and the support of the people around her.

“I always say: therapy saves lives. But it is just as important to have people beside you who will not let you give up.”

On 22 May 2023, Lesia was forced to leave Ukraine.

She reached Lviv thanks to the volunteer initiative Prykhystok, which helped Ukrainians evacuate and find safe transport to European countries. From there, she travelled to Germany.

“It was frightening. You leave your whole life behind and do not know what tomorrow will bring.”

Fortunately, her therapy was with her. Before leaving, Lesia informed her doctors in Ukraine, received a supply of medication, and later the Ukrainian clinic helped prepare all the necessary medical documentation for her doctors in Germany.

“This made my registration with the healthcare system much easier. I advise everyone: if you can, be sure to take your medical documents with you or ask your doctor to prepare an official medical extract.”

In Stuttgart, Lesia found a clinic specialising in treatment for people living with HIV. “When I came there for the first time, they asked me only one thing first: ‘Do you still have your therapy?’ They immediately focused on making sure my treatment would not be interrupted.”

The doctors carefully reviewed her medical history, requested documents from Ukraine, changed her treatment regimen and began monitoring her results regularly. “For the first time, I felt that the doctors were genuinely happy about my progress. When my viral load became undetectable, my doctor celebrated with me. That kind of attitude is very supportive.”

Lesia also contacted AIDS-Hilfe Stuttgart, where she received information and support. “I was welcomed very warmly. I realised that I was not alone. This is very important when you are just starting life in a new country.”

Despite the successful continuation of therapy, adaptation was not easy. During the first months, Lesia lived in temporary accommodation centres, attended language courses, looked for work and tried to navigate a new system of life. “I thought I could manage on my own. But one day I realised I could not do it anymore. Constant stress, worries about my mother, a new country, another language – it all kept building up.”

She went through severe depression. “I did not want to leave the house. I thought it was just tiredness. Only later did I realise it was real depression.” Finding a psychotherapist in Germany turned out to be difficult – she had to wait for months. Only after a long search did Lesia find a specialist, start treatment and begin taking antidepressants. “I want to tell other people: do not be afraid to seek psychological help. Antidepressants are medicines just like medication for high blood pressure. If you need them, there is no reason to be ashamed.”

Today, Lesia lives in her own rented apartment in Stuttgart. She works in elderly care, continues to learn German, does sports and travels around the country a lot.

“I really wanted to prove to myself, first of all, that life had not ended. Now I work, meet people, study and discover Germany for myself.”

She also gladly helps other Ukrainians who are just arriving in Stuttgart, sharing contacts of doctors, interpreters, clinics and civil society organisations. “If I can help someone at least with advice, it means that everything I went through was not in vain.”

“Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not lose faith in yourself, even if right now it feels as if nothing is working out. Learn the language, travel, meet people, look for what brings you joy. And remember: even the darkest period of life comes to an end. I know this for sure, because I have been through it myself.”

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Germany HIV

HelpNowHUB presented its experience supporting Ukrainians at a high-level RADIAN event in Geneva

On 21 May 2026, a high-level event, “Journeys of Resilience: Stories shaping the HIV response in Eastern Europe and Central Asia,” took place in Geneva as part of the World Health Assembly. The event was organized by Gilead Sciences and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The event marked the launch of the RADIAN Impact Report, which summarizes five years of work by the RADIAN partnership in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The gathering brought together global health representatives, donors, policymakers, civil society leaders, partner organizations, and changemakers whose work is helping to transform approaches to HIV prevention, treatment, and support for people affected by HIV.RADIAN, a partnership between Gilead Sciences and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, has been supporting local solutions since 2019 — helping to overcome barriers to HIV services, strengthen the role of communities, and drive sustainable change in health systems. According to the presented Impact Report, over the first five years of RADIAN support, nearly 350,000 people in the region accessed HIV-related services, more than 188,000 people received HIV testing, and over 37,000 people living with HIV initiated or re-initiated antiretroviral therapy.Among the invited RADIAN Changemakers was Yulia Golub, HelpNow Service Coordinator at HelpNowHUB Foundation Poland. In her remarks, she presented the experience of HelpNowHUB Foundation and its partners — Step by Step Foundation and Res Humanae Foundation — in supporting Ukrainians forcibly displaced by the war, including people living with HIV and representatives of key communities.Special attention was given to the fact that, for people crossing borders in the context of war, continuity of treatment and access to support does not happen automatically. It depends on trust, safe navigation, clear information, peer support, and partnerships that can respond quickly to people’s real needs.“It is a great honor for me to be part of this event and to speak on behalf of HelpNowHUB Foundation and our partners. Our work began as an emergency response to the war, but today it is no longer only about crisis support. It is about a sustainable, community-led pathway back to treatment, safety, trust, and hope. RADIAN helped make this work not only possible in a moment of emergency, but also more sustainable over time — strengthening support for people who too often remain invisible to formal systems,” said Yulia.In her speech, Yulia emphasized that HelpNowHUB Foundation was founded by Ukrainian women in migration from key communities after the start of the full-scale war. The organization’s work grew out of the HelpNow service, created by the Alliance for Public Health as an emergency response in the first months of the war, when thousands of Ukrainians had to rebuild access to safety, information, and HIV services outside their country.Since the start of the project, with RADIAN support, HelpNowHUB and its partners have responded to 2,807 requestsfrom more than 850 people, strengthened peer navigation, and built safer referral pathways from Ukraine to Poland and across the world — helping ensure that people do not lose access to treatment at the moment of greatest vulnerability.The launch of the RADIAN Impact Report was not only an opportunity to recognize the progress achieved, but also an important reminder: progress in the region remains fragile, and a sustainable HIV response requires continued investment in local leadership, peer support, cross-border approaches, and services that remain close to the people most affected by the epidemic.

HelpNow HIV

When the situation is complex, support matters most: Alina’s story

Alina (name changed) is a woman living with HIV, holding a disability status in Poland, and currently in a very vulnerable condition. She required a planned hip replacement surgery — a procedure that could significantly improve her quality of life and potentially help her walk again.

At the beginning of 2026, she was informed that the surgery could not be performed and was postponed indefinitely. In practice, this was a refusal, as her UKR status was not recognized by the healthcare system as valid insurance coverage.

Alina is bedridden and requires constant care, mostly provided by her children. In addition to HIV, she has a history of tuberculosis and needs regular medical monitoring and life-saving medication.

Previously, the facility where she stays provided transport to medical appointments. However, one day the ambulance did not arrive.
“I was told the transport was canceled because my UKR status is not recognized as insurance. I didn’t know what to do next,” Alina says.

Her access to medication also became more complicated: prescriptions that were previously reimbursed were later issued at full cost.

In this situation, Alina turned to Fundacja HelpNowHUB.

The Foundation does not shy away from complex cases — on the contrary, this is where support is most needed. A consultant assessed the case and advised her daughter to apply to MOPS as a low-income person with a disability, which could help secure state health insurance.

“I was in despair because it wasn’t just one problem — it was a chain: surgery, transport, therapy, medication. But when someone explained the next steps, I felt we were not alone,” she says.

The situation remains unresolved. Alina currently has a one-month supply of therapy, and her daughter can temporarily collect medication. However, the issue of insurance remains critical.

“We are grateful that we were not turned away, even though the situation is complicated. It matters to know there are people who are not afraid to help in such cases,” she adds.

Sometimes support is not an immediate solution. Sometimes it is a path that must be taken step by step. But it is exactly from this that the possibility begins to restore a person’s access to treatment, dignity, and hope.

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HelpNow HIV Poland

HelpNowHUB and international partners align strategic steps for the “United for Health & Life” project during a two-day meeting in Warsaw

At the end of March, Warsaw hosted a two-day meeting of partners involved in the United for Health & Life project, which brings together organizations from Sweden, Ukraine, Germany, and Poland. Representatives of HelpNowHUB Foundation, 100% Life, 100 Percent Life Germany, and Noaks Ark Mosaik came together to align their shared vision for the project, strengthen cross-country coordination, and lay the groundwork for practical next steps in the HIV response.

The discussions focused on the key building blocks of the future collaboration: how the project model should function in practice, which interventions are likely to be most effective, how responsibilities should be distributed among partners, and what common approaches are needed to support people and communities affected by the HIV epidemic. The strategic session also addressed partner roles, expected results, risks, and the next stages in developing the initiative.

The first working day also included a visit to one of Warsaw’s clubs that serves as a safe social space for the LGBTIQA+ community. In an open and welcoming environment, participants had the opportunity to observe how a peer-support model works in practice — from HIV and STI testing to counselling and follow-up support.

The following day was dedicated to a meeting with Polish NGOs, in particular the organization FES. During the exchange, participants discussed the local context and approaches that have already proven effective in Poland, as well as international good practices that have demonstrated strong results abroad. For the international team, this was an opportunity not only to better understand the Polish experience, but also to identify solutions that may be relevant and adaptable in other partner countries.

“For us, this meeting in Warsaw was not only a platform for strategic planning, but also a space for strengthening trust between partners. It is through this kind of cooperation that we can develop solutions that respond to the real needs of communities and help countries address the challenges of the HIV epidemic more effectively,” said Anna Ariabinska, President of HelpNowHUB Foundation.

The meeting in Warsaw marked another important step toward stronger international partnership and the development of innovative practices that will help participating countries respond more effectively to HIV-related challenges.

The project is implemented with the support of the Swedish Institute (Svenska institutet) within the framework of the Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme.

HelpNow HIV Poland

Study for migrants living with HIV in Poland

Fundacja HelpNowHUB, within the framework of the project “From Heart to Heart”, in partnership with Step by Step Fundacja and Fundacja Res Humanae, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, invites you to participate in the study “HIV + Barriers and Stigma in Poland.”

The study aims to explore the barriers and stigma faced by migrants living with HIV in Poland.

The goal of the research is to improve access to services, support, and treatment for people in migration.

Study period: April 1 – July 30, 2026
Duration: approximately 45 minutes
Format: online or by prior arrangement
Participation bonus: a 70 PLN voucher for purchases in a popular Polish grocery chain
Confidentiality: participation is fully anonymous; no personally identifiable data will be collected
Limited number of participants: up to 400 people

If you are a migrant living with HIV in Poland, your experience is extremely important. It will help identify key challenges and improve access to essential support.

To participate, please contact:
+48 786 640 460
+48 721 752 114
+48 575 023 612
(daily from 8:00 to 18:00)

Or email: helpnowua@gmail.com

Join the study — your voice can make a difference!

HIV Poland

Allowing yourself support: Anna’s story

“I used to think I had to cope on my own for a long time,” says Anna (name changed).

Anna is a mother and a woman living with HIV. She moved to Poland before the full-scale war began. At that time, her life was divided between two countries: she worked abroad but regularly returned to Ukraine — to see her family and to receive antiretroviral therapy.

“I was used to having everything under control: I would come, pick up my treatment, see my loved ones — and go back,” she says.

After 2022, this was no longer possible. Returning home became dangerous and practically impossible. At the same time, Anna faced something she had never spoken about openly before — self-stigma and a lack of acceptance from her relatives.

“I felt a lot of shame about my status. I was afraid of judgment, and honestly, part of that judgment I carried within myself,” she shares. “Even in my family, I didn’t feel fully supported. It puts a lot of pressure on you.”

Over time, this led to a depressive state. Anna tried to cope on her own. “I thought I would just get through it, that asking for help was a sign of weakness. But it only got worse.”

The idea of seeing a psychologist crossed her mind, but it felt out of reach. “Paid sessions are expensive. I kept postponing it.”

Anna learned about the possibility of free psychological support through the From Heart To Heart project by chance. “I saw information online about consultations with psychologist Marina. I decided to give it a try.”

This step became a turning point.
“For the first time in a long while, I felt that I wasn’t being judged. I felt relief even after the first conversation,” Anna says.
“I realized I wasn’t alone and that there wasn’t something ‘wrong’ with me, as I used to think. I became calmer, started to understand myself and my emotions better. And most importantly — I stopped blaming myself. I’m very grateful for this support.”

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This publication was prepared by Fundacją HelpNow HUBwithin the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Step by Step Fundacja, in partnership with Fundacja Res Humanae, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

HIV Poland psychological support

On World Tuberculosis Day: why TB remains a critical issue — for the world, for Poland, and for people living with HIV

“Yes! We can End TB. Leadership belongs to the state, and power lies in communities.” This is the most accurate way to describe an effective response to TB today: political will, adequate financing, modern diagnostics, uninterrupted treatment, and stigma-free services. At the global level, the World TB Day campaign emphasizes: Yes! We can End TB! Led by countries. Powered by people.

Tuberculosis is not a “disease of the past.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2024, 10.7 million people fell ill with TB worldwide, and 1.23 million people died from the disease. Of all new cases, 6.1% were among people living with HIV. WHO also stresses that TB has once again become the leading cause of death from infectious diseases globally.

For people living with HIV, tuberculosis remains one of the most dangerous co-infections. According to WHO, in 2023there were an estimated 662,000 cases of HIV-associated TB worldwide, and 161,000 people living with HIV died from TB; this accounted for about one quarter of all AIDS-related deaths. That is why early HIV testing, timely initiation of ART, and rapid TB diagnosis should not be seen separately, but as parts of one integrated system of care.

Tuberculosis is transmitted through the air and most often affects the lungs, although it can also affect other organs. Active TB often presents with prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, weakness, chest pain, and weight loss. At the same time, in people living with HIV the course of the disease may be atypical, and the risk of progression from latent infection to active disease is higher; therefore, WHO recommends systematic symptom screening and rapid access to diagnostics for people living with HIV.

A modern response to TB is no longer limited to X-ray or microscopy alone. WHO emphasizes the importance of rapid molecular tests as the initial diagnostic tool for people with TB symptoms, and for people living with HIV — a combination of symptom screening, chest radiography, and subsequent microbiological confirmation. The faster the diagnosis is made, the earlier treatment begins and the lower the risk of further transmission.

Poland: TB remains a real problem, although the country is considered low-incidence

According to official data from the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases of Poland, in 2024 there were 4,236 TB cases registered in the country, with an incidence rate of 11.3 per 100,000 population. Of these, 4,093 cases were pulmonary TB. There were 3,484 bacteriologically confirmed cases, meaning more than 82% of all registered cases. Mortality in Poland in 2023 was 483 deaths, or 1.3 per 100,000 population.

These figures matter for two reasons. First, they show that TB has not disappeared in Poland: every year, the country still records thousands of cases. Second, even in a country with relatively low overall incidence, there are groups for whom the risk and barriers to care remain disproportionately high — in particular, people living with HIV, people in detention settings, and some migrants and refugees.

The Polish TB Bulletin for 2024 states directly that TB/HIV co-occurrence in Poland remains relatively rare, but not insignificant: in 2024, TB was an AIDS-indicator disease in 20 people living with HIV. This is not a large number in absolute terms, but such cases are of particular clinical importance: they often indicate late HIV diagnosis, interrupted care, or insufficient coverage of prevention and screening.

At the same time, Polish HIV data show that the epidemic situation in the country is dynamic. According to a publication by the National Institute of Public Health and the National AIDS Centre, in 2022 there were 2,604 newly diagnosed HIV cases in Poland, of which 753 were among non-Polish citizens. Data for 2023, published in the abstract of a more recent scientific paper, indicate 2,404 new HIV diagnoses, including 612 among non-Polish citizens. This means that the migration component in Poland’s HIV response has long ceased to be a peripheral issue.

Migrants in Poland: where HIV and TB risks intersect

Separately, the Polish TB Bulletin shows that in 2024, among people diagnosed with TB in Poland, there were 376 foreigners, accounting for 8.9% of all cases. The largest group were people from Ukraine — 229 individuals; overall, TB cases among foreigners were linked to people from 34 countries. For the Polish system, this means a practical need not only for clinical care, but also for translation, system navigation, continuity of treatment across countries, and work to reduce stigma.

At the same time, in publicly available annual sources, Poland reports TB data for foreigners separately and HIV data for non-Polish citizens separately, but does not provide, in the same format, a separate indicator specifically for HIV/TB co-infection among migrants. This does not mean the problem does not exist; it means that a targeted response still requires better, more detailed data. And it is precisely this need for better disaggregated data on TB among refugees and migrants that WHO emphasizes in its special 2024 report.

European data confirm that migration cannot be reduced to the idea of an “imported disease” — the situation is far more complex. The ECDC notes that in 2023, migrants accounted for 47.9% of all new HIV diagnoses in the EU/EEA, and some infections may have occurred after migration. For TB, WHO emphasizes different but related risk mechanisms: legal barriers, poverty, overcrowded housing, unstable access to healthcare, language difficulties, stigma, and interrupted treatment. Therefore, a migrant-oriented response to HIV and TB is not an “additional option,” but part of a modern public health system.

Poland as an example: not only a challenge, but also a solution

In response to the needs of refugees from Ukraine, Poland, with the support of WHO and partners, has begun shifting its TB care model in a more patient-centred direction. WHO describes that in Poland, TB treatment is free of charge for citizens and refugees, and that the model being introduced includes more outpatient and home-based care, video-supported treatment, better coordination between institutions, and reduced stigma associated with prolonged hospitalization. This is especially important for mobile populations, people with chronic conditions, and those who simultaneously need HIV-related services.

It is precisely this approach — people-centred care — that is now considered the key to success. In the WHO 2024 report on TB among refugees and migrants, it is emphasized that effective programmes must be stigma-free, culturally sensitive, migrant-friendly, supported by interpretation services, community support, flexible screening and treatment pathways, and reliable intersectoral coordination. For people living with HIV, this also means integrating services: testing, ART, TB screening, TB preventive treatment, case management, and social support within a single pathway, rather than across several fragmented systems.

What this means in practice — for communities, services, and communication

On World Tuberculosis Day, it is important to speak not only about statistics, but also about action. For the general population, the key message is simple: TB is curable, and early care saves lives. If there is a prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, weakness, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss — it is not worth waiting. For people living with HIV, this message is even more important: regular contact with healthcare services, TB screening, and uninterrupted ART reduce the risk of severe disease.

For services in Poland and for organizations working with migrants (such as the HelpNowHUB Foundation), the main conclusion is different: HIV and TB need to be integrated at the level of the patient pathway. A person should not have to search separately for information, separately for an interpreter, separately for testing, separately for a referral, and separately for social support. The simpler and more humane the entry into the system, the greater the chance that the diagnosis will be made early and treatment will be completed. This is exactly what the “Led by countries. Powered by people.” approach requires. And the HelpNowHUB Foundation fully supports it!

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HIV Poland TB Tuberculosis