Topic: Rights of HIV-Positive Individuals
Country: Russia
Delegate Name: Mitra Darakhshandeh
School: Flint Southwestern Classical Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Russia position papers GLIMUN 2010 committees
Russian law guarantees HIV treatment for everyone who needs it. In fact, the Russian Health Ministry has bargained with drug manufacturers, lowering the annual cost of HIV medications from $10,000 per year to about $3,000 per year. In 2007 Russia agreed to better fund treatment efforts by doubling treatment spending to almost $300 million dollars. Russia has recently announced a major HIV/AIDS initiative, including a dramatic increase in funding. We are expecting to invest more than $430 million in global health care before 2012. Russia provides government funded clinics for individuals who are HIV infected. Also, those who attend our government funded clinics are provided government-funded HIV medications. In addition, Russia has instituted "harm reduction" programs; these are programs that assume risky behavior will occur so they teach individuals how to reduce the risk of harm from these behaviors.
There are no restrictions or regulations concerning the entry of people with HIV/AIDS to Russia and there are no regulations targeting short term tourist stays. However, foreign employees, student and those staying in the country for more than 3 months must present an HIV test result or medical certificate. These laws are simply in the best interest of the public health. For example,Russia has many needle exchange programs. Needle exchange programs are established in an effort to increase the use of sterile needles and syringes, thereby decreasing the incidence of HIV infection.
Russia recognizes the rapidly growing epidemic of the HIV/AIDS infection. We feel that “harm reduction” is the most effective way to tackle this growing problem. To completely eliminate all behavior that results in the spread of the HIV/AIDS infection is unrealistic.
