Ukraine has one of the most serious HIV/AIDS epidemics in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and is experiencing one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in the world. The first case of HIV was identified in 1987; since that time 245,216 cases have been officially recorded, with 31,999 deaths. As of January 1, 2014, more than 134,000 HIV-positive patients were registered with and receiving care and treatment from the state health care facilities.  

"I want to tell a story of something that happened this week, Monday, in my country,” Dr. Stella Nyanzi told the crowd as she began her keynote speech to kick off the 11^th Annual Western Regional International Health Conference.

“People marched through Kampala, carrying banners and posters with the most shocking messages for those of us who had been working with the LGBTIQ community in Uganda, messages that said things like, ‘Uganda belongs to God,’ or, ‘Musevini, we the children thank you for saving our future.’”

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with a panel title, “Taboo Topics in Film: Social Justice in Gender Identity and Sexual Health.” Even the word taboo made me think of fishnet stockings.  Instead, this engaging panel addressed two very distinct and important issues: female condoms as a preventative tool for women, and the financial barriers to medical procedures faced by transgender people.

Last month, a distinguished group from the University of Washington’s International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) and Department of Global Health (DGH) visited Addis Ababa and Gondar, Ethiopia, for several days of discussion, workshops, events, and celebration — including the University of Gondar’s 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee and the inauguration of the University of Gondar Comprehensive Outpatient Center.