To prevent the spread of HIV infection among people is the issue that is addressed on all levels in different countries. Only mutual efforts have been considered to yield good results. A few specialists from the USA have recently come to Irkutsk and had a round table meeting to discuss this issue.

At Information and Counseling Center “Steps” (ICC “Steps”) there are about thousand folders of clients, who receive assistance here. ICC “Steps” psychologist, Svenlana Rodionova, gives psychological assistance. Those people who have just learnt about their diagnoses have the same questions whether they have to disclose their HIV-positive status to the families, close surroundings and at work.
ICC “Steps” was set up in 2003 with the help of the American Red Cross and the Anne Ray Charitable Trust. There are more than ten specialists who carry out training sessions and individual counseling, and also who care for families affected by HIV.
Those people who have just learnt about the HIV-positive status can come to the counseling room, in which they get psychological advice on how to overcome the sad news.
“Expanded Care and Support for People Affected by HIV” program has been run for seven years. The American Red Cross representatives have come on observation trip. They have talked to the clients, and are having a round-table meeting with the representatives of the Health Department of Irkutsk city today. The number of HIV-positive people in Irkutsk city has decreased; more than 3 000 people have been assisted during the C&SP implementation.

“I am really satisfied both with the results and the open dialog between Irkutsk Oblast Chapter of the Russian Red Cross and the C&SP clients,” says Dr. Ruth Bowman, Director of the Anne Ray Charitable Trust.

New C&SP priorities appear every year; since July 1, 2010, Irkutsk Oblast Chapter of the Russian Red Cross is going to reach clients infected with HIV/TB.
The American Red Cross guests have also visited The Rainbow-flower Family Center, a few families affected by HIV, and attended a lesson given by the ICC “Steps” children’s psychologist and speech therapist.