BRAMA, May 13, 2003, 1:00 am ET
Press Release
UMANA Pennsylvania Chapter Launches First Open National Forum on Prevention of HIV/AIDS in Children in Ukraine
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America (UMANA) launched a major educational effort to raise awareness about the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Saturday, May 3, 2003 at the AIDS In Ukraine Awareness Weekend in Philadelphia.
AIDS Awareness Forum Faculty: Bottom row, from left - Kate Schecter, PhD, Maria Hrycelak, MD,
Tim Clary, PhD, Larissa Kyj, PhD, Roxolana Horbowyj, MD.
Top Row, from left - Joseph Sywenkyj, Joseph Amon, PhD, Alexander Kuzma, Esq.
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The Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center (UECC) in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, initiated this effort by organizing the HIV/AIDS Awareness weekend May 3 and 4 in conjunction with a visit from current Miss Universe Justine Pasek, who was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine. UMANA Chapter President Wasyl Salak, MD, in close cooperation with UECC's Executive Director Ms. Orysia Hewka, organized this First Open National Forum to inform the diaspora and Ukraine about the significant impact of HIV/AIDS on the future of Ukrainians worldwide. Conference organizer and moderator Roxolana Horbowyj, MD assembled specialists covering a range of medical, epidemiological and economic topics relating to "Prevention of HIV Infection in Children in Ukraine."
The sessions were opened formally Saturday morning by UECC President Borys Zacharchuk. Dr. Salak presided over the lighting of a lone candle representing the victims of HIV/AIDS, which remained lit throughout the length of deliberations. Conference moderator Dr. Roxolana Horbowyj, General and Critical Care Surgeon, Washington, D.C., gave an overview of this disease in the world and its impact on Ukraine. Dr. Tim A. Clary, HIV/Infectious Diseases Epidemiologist for Europe and Eurasia, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), set the stage describing the status of HIV/AIDS in Ukraine today. Dr. Larissa Kyj, economist with the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, presented statistics relating to the impact of HIV/AIDS on Ukraine's children. Projections for the future of the disease in Ukraine are rather dismal unless a major informational campaign succeeds in informing the public and changing risky behavior to reduce exposure to the virus. Alexander B. Kuzma, Esq., Executive Director of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund (CCRF), discussed what makes children in Ukraine vulnerable to HIV infection. Joseph Amon, PhD, epidemiologist with the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) elucidated further on the impact of HIV/AIDS on Ukraine's adolescents. Maria Hrycelak, MD, Director of Pediatric Ambulatory Care at Lutheran General Hospital, Illinois, presented data describing the potential success of reducing the incidence of HIV transfer from pregnant women to their children to less than 2 % from Ukraine's estimated dismally high 25% with appropriate treatment and maternal-child care policies. Kate Schecter, PhD, of the American International Health Alliance( AIHA), shared information on AIHA's pilot project in Odessa, showing the potential for successful treatment strategies related to mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The final speaker was Joseph Sywenkyj, noted Ukrainian-American photographer, recipient of a UMANA Foundation partial grant in 2002, presented a poignant series of photos taken recently in Odessa. During his stay there he chronicled the sad impact of AIDS on families and children of victims who are barely aware of the insidious and ultimately fatal nature of their affliction. The striking reality of the images brought a noticeable and emotional hush to the viewing audience.
A spirited discussion followed the presentation, touching on many aspects and possibilities of educational help that could be offered to Ukraine.
The AIDS in Ukraine Awareness Weekend continued with an exhibit by photographer and UMANA member Roksolana Tymiak-Lonchyna, DDS, depicting her experiences with orphans and children at risk for AIDS in Lviv, and explaining the importance of supplying nutrition for the maintenance of general health of these at-risk children.
The afternoon and evening culminated with the visit of Ms. Justine Pasek, Miss Universe from Panama. She has undertaken the challenge of raising awareness about HIV/AIDS during her tenure, and drew an admiring crowd to the Cultural Center for the evening proceedings. A formal dinner hosted by UECC's President Borys Zacharczuk honored the visiting Miss Universe with a colorful cultural program. The presence of His Excellency Metropolitan Stefan Soroka and His Emminence Archbishop Antony added the needed spiritual and moral dimension to the educational effort of a disease which is transmitted largely by high risk but preventable behaviors.
UMANA and CCRF Match Funds in Joint Collaboration
The Board of Directors of the National Office of UMANA met with the Pennsylvania Chapter Saturday afternoon for quarterly deliberations. UMANA National Office President Ihor Voyevidka, MD presented a proposal from CCRF to jointly sponsor a "Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) Prevention, Diagnostic and Treatment Program" at the Lviv Regional Perinatal Center. The Medical Association unanimously endorsed this proposal, and voted to match CCRF's commitment with a $10,000 donation. This project can serve as a model for other centers in Ukraine to obtain the latest in diagnostic and treatment facilities for the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
UMANA Pledges Further Support
The events concluded with a strong commitment among participants to carry forth the educational efforts already started. UMANA's National Office urges other Chapters in the US and Canada to emulate the example set by the Pennsylvania Chapter in presenting this educational Forum. Issue #149 of the Journal of the Ukrainian Medical Association (Likarskyj Visnyk) is completely dedicated to topics of HIV/AIDS with research updates from multiple university centers. This Ukrainian language journal is distributed among 2000 health care professionals in Ukraine and 400 in the USA. The upcoming UMANA Scientific Conference in Chicago June 18-22, centered on infectious diseases, will contain sessions on HIV/AIDS. Similar informational projects are currently underway, and UMANA spurs on other Ukrainian diaspora organizations to support the awareness campaign to their fullest capacity. Further information on this topic can be obtained from UMANA (773) 278-6262 or our web site www.umana.org.
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