Get Tested with Pride: EHPV Invites You for Free Testing During Tallinn Pride

Get Tested with Pride: EHPV Invites You for Free Testing During Tallinn Pride
On May 31, 2025, from 13:00 to 16:00, at Tornide väljak (Tower Square) in Tallinn, the Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EHPV) is offering free, quick, and confidential testing for HIV and Hepatitis C as part of the Tallinn Pride celebrations.
We warmly welcome everyone — regardless of gender, age, orientation — to stop by and take a rapid test. The process takes just a few minutes and is carried out in a cozy and friendly environment.
Why is this important?
Because knowing your HIV status is not just about protecting your own health — it’s also an act of care for the whole community. Thanks to modern treatment, people living with HIV can lead full, healthy lives. And with effective therapy, the virus becomes undetectable and untransmittable (U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable).
📍 What, Where, When:
Date: May 31, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Tornide väljak (Tower Square), Tallinn
🔗 Learn more about us and our initiatives at ehpv.ee
Come by, bring your friends, and celebrate Pride with joy and responsibility!

Did you know that…

Member States approve WHO Pandemic Agreement in World Health Assembly Committee, paving way for its formal adoption

Member States approve WHO Pandemic Agreement in World Health Assembly Committee, paving way for its formal adoption

Historic agreement to be considered for adoption Tuesday in plenary of the Assembly

World Health Organization Member States, meeting today in Committee A of the World Health Assembly, approved a resolution that calls for the adoption of an historic global compact to make the world safer from future pandemics. The WHO Pandemic Agreement will next be considered for final adoption by the Assembly on Tuesday during the plenary session.

Original news link

Read more

Press Release UNAIDS

Press Release

At the 78th World Health Assembly, UNAIDS calls for urgent action to avert millions of preventable HIV Infections and AIDS-related deaths

GENEVA, 19 May 2025— As funding cuts threaten to cause an additional 6 million new HIV infections and 4 million preventable AIDS-related deaths, UNAIDS is calling on governments and partners attending the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) to recommit to ending AIDS by 2030.

UNAIDS estimates that an additional 2300 people are contracting HIV every day. Without immediate action to dismantle barriers to healthcare, strengthen community-led responses, and unlock sustainable financing, a catastrophic loss of life and millions more new HIV infections could reverse decades of progress.

“I remember the darkest days of AIDS – the millions of lives lost, and the existential threat to global health security. We must not go back,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. “Amid disruption, the international community needs to come together to protect the gains made in the response to HIV and see this battle through to the end.”

A HIV prevention revolution

Long-acting injectable antiretroviral medicines such as lenacapavir – twice-yearly shots that are almost 100% effective in preventing new HIV infections – offer a chance to put the world back on track.

“We have an opportunity today of new, long-acting HIV prevention tools that could fundamentally reshape the HIV response and put us on course to end AIDS by 2030”, said Ms Byanyima. “We need a moonshot approach to mobilize a HIV prevention revolution – to scale-up these potentially revolutionary medicines and make them available and affordable to everyone who needs them.”

UNAIDS, the Global HIV Prevention Coalition, government ministers, community representatives, civil society and the pharmaceutical sector will discuss how to remove barriers to accessing lenacapavir, including pricing, intellectual property issues and regulatory hurdles at a special event on the sidelines of the WHA.

Preparing for future pandemic threats

During #WHA78, member states will adopt a Pandemic Agreement, after three years of negotiations reached a consensus last month. “UNAIDS watched in horror as the world repeated many of the mistakes of the AIDS pandemic with COVID-19. With the Pandemic Agreement, governments have a chance to say, ‘never again.’

“I congratulate South Africa and France as Co-Chairs; Australia, Brazil, Egypt and Thailand as Vice-Chairs — each representing their region — and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for this landmark achievement. It is proof that, even in times of crisis, multilateralism and global cooperation can deliver for humanity.”

At #WHA78, UNAIDS will underline the importance of implementing the Agreement, embedding equitable, inclusive and rights-based approach, advancing access to medical innovations, centring community systems, and protecting human rights.

Communities at the heart of global health

The recent cuts in external funding for global health and development have devastated community-led organizations that deliver HIV services to people highly vulnerable to HIV. Many have had to close their doors or severely reduce their activities as international funding suddenly stopped.

UNAIDS, Coalition Plus, Frontline AIDS and UNAIDS are co-organizing an event at #WHA78, in collaboration with WHO, focusing on the urgent need to sustain and scale up community-led health systems amidst mounting global crises and shrinking international aid.

Africa’s pathway to sustainable health systems

UNAIDS has been working with governments to develop detailed transition plans towards greater domestic ownership of their HIV responses. Domestic resources already account for more than 60% of the HIV response. In the face of massive cuts to international funding, Global South leaders are stepping up and accelerating efforts, but many countries are still facing huge challenges to increase domestic HIV funding when budgets are being drained by unsustainable debt repayments.

UNAIDS will talk about the urgent need for international financial reform to enable sustainable health financing for Africa in an event co-organized with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and other partners.

UNAIDS KEY EVENTS AT #WHA78

Original news: there

HIV infection in Estonia

As of April 2025, 34 new HIV cases were registered in Estonia.

In total, by 04/2025, 10,951 people have been diagnosed with HIV in Estonia since the beginning of the epidemic.

More information: from the link

PRESS RELEASE : European Testing Week 2025

PRESS RELEASE

European Testing Week 2025

The Estonian Network of People Living with HIV has joined the European Testing Week and, guided by its strategic principles, continues to actively advocate for the demedicalization of testing among key populations — including the expansion of self-testing and testing conducted by trained community-based lay providers.

Health and access to medical care are fundamental human rights for everyone, regardless of their status or origin. However, migrants and mobile populations continue to face numerous obstacles in obtaining quality healthcare, particularly in the field of infectious disease prevention and treatment.

In 2025, European Testing Week is focusing on expanding access to testing and subsequent care among migrants and mobile communities. This theme is especially relevant given the increasing number of HIV cases among migrants over the past 10 years.

Overcoming Barriers to Health

Migrants and mobile populations are at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, and STIs (sexually transmitted infections). They often encounter numerous challenges, including:

  • Social and legal barriers — lack of documentation and legal insecurity.
  • Linguistic and cultural obstacles — difficulties in accessing information in their native language.
  • Limited access to testing and treatment — lack of awareness about available services and fear of seeking help.

These factors lead to unequal access to healthcare and exacerbate negative health outcomes. We aim to change this situation by providing support and informing migrants about their rights and opportunities.

Uniting Efforts for Health and Well-being

This year, European Testing Week is not just an event, but a call to action. We are joining forces to help migrants and mobile populations overcome barriers to health. We are creating a space for open dialogue, sharing experiences, and collaboratively finding solutions.

Our goal is to ensure equal access to testing and treatment for everyone.
We call on government and public organizations, healthcare workers, and all concerned citizens to join this important cause. It is within our power to create conditions where every person, regardless of their origin, feels safe and can access the necessary medical care.

 

📍 Locations and Times of Preventive Events:

Jõhvi

📅 May 19, 2025
🕓 16:00–18:00
📍 Kivi 5, Jõhvi

Sillamäe

📅 May 21, 2025
🕟 16:30–18:30
📍 Kajaka 15, Sillamäe

Tallinn

📅 May 23, 2025
🕐 13:00–15:00
📍 Laevastiku tn 1a, Tallinn

Contact Information:

  • Eesti HIV-positiivsete võrgustik (EHPV)
  • Phone: +372 5870 6070, +372 5557 8131
  • Email: ehpv@ehpv.ee
  • Website: www.ehpv.ee

Join us in making healthcare accessible for all! Let’s create a safer and healthier future together.

International Seminar Paris

We have returned from Paris, where we participated in the International Seminar “The Role of Civil Society in Addressing the Needs of Key and Vulnerable Populations Among Eastern European Migrants and Refugees”, held on May 14-15 at Sorbonne Université .
Why Was This Important?
♦️To identify barriers in #HIV and #TB treatment for migrants and find solutions.
♦️ To highlight the role of civil society in ensuring quality healthcare for those most in need.
Key Findings:
🔹Language barriers– Without translation, there is no trust in doctors.
🔹Legal uncertainty – Fear of losing protected status due to travel to Ukraine.
🔹Stigma – People hide diagnoses to avoid discrimination.
🔹Inaccessible #PrEP – HIV prevention must be free and available.
🔹Lack of data – Without statistics, effective programs cannot be developed.

Behind Every Statistic – A Human Story.
These numbers are just part of our research, but each one represents real people—their struggles, hopes, and resilience.
– Mothers hiding diagnoses to protect their children from bullying.
– Workers afraid of losing jobs if their status is revealed.
– Teenagers too scared to admit they need help.

When we talk about “access to #healthcare,” we mean the right to a dignified life—one that should not depend on language or which side of a border someone fled from.
Our Mission:
The seminar at Sorbonne was a chance to speak up for those often ignored. Our goal is to ensure no refugee faces their struggles alone. Because behind politics, there are real people who cannot wait—they need help today.
We are grateful to the organizers for this opportunity and to all colleagues fighting for vulnerable groups. These days in Paris were not just about work—they were about inspiration and solidarity.

PRESS RELEASE: May 18, 2025 the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day 2025

PRESS RELEASE

On May 18, 2025, the NGO Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EHPV) (www.ehpv.ee) will commemorate the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Day under the 2025 theme of remembrance, resilience, and leadership: “We Remember. We Rise. We Lead.”

Inspired by the remarkable leadership of people living with HIV in a rapidly changing world, we remain committed to being bold leaders today — especially as our organization celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, held annually on the third Sunday of May since 1983, provides people around the world with an opportunity to come together to remember those lost to AIDS and to reaffirm their commitment to supporting people living with HIV everywhere.
Events held on this day around the world help raise awareness about HIV and ensure access to life-saving treatment, allowing us to live.

This year’s theme is: “We Remember. We Rise. We Lead.”

These three key words — remembrance, resilience, and leadership — unite us, the leaders of PLHIV communities, to collectively honor those we have lost, recognize the impact they’ve made in bringing us to this point, and draw strength and inspiration to continue leading into the future with determination to end the AIDS epidemic.

It is time to shift the narrative surrounding HIV and AIDS.

We aim to speak openly about self-stigmatization and the pain it causes, the growing need for mental health services, and the incredible power of self-worth, self-love, and solidarity in improving healthcare accessibility and utilization. We believe in the importance of openly discussing these issues to achieve the quality of life we deserve.

Thanks to advances in modern medicine, HIV infection is now considered a chronic condition rather than a fatal one. People living with HIV who start antiretroviral (ARV) treatment on time and follow medical guidance can live long and fulfilling lives. Although there is no cure for AIDS, its progression can be managed. In Estonia, ARV medications are accessible, and therefore HIV/AIDS should be treated as a medical condition — not a death sentence.

Our shared vision is of a world with no new HIV infections, no discrimination against people living with HIV, and no AIDS-related deaths. Achieving this vision requires sustained investments and a commitment from both policymakers and the public to address these issues openly and honestly.

The Candlelight Memorial helps mobilize communities and raise public awareness about HIV and AIDS. Today, with over 38 million people living with HIV globally, the Memorial remains a powerful platform for global solidarity, helping to break the barriers of stigma and discrimination while offering hope to new generations.

More information is available at: www.ehpv.ee

JOIN US VIRTUALLY THIS YEAR

LIGHT A VIRTUAL CANDLE
Honor the memory of someone lost to AIDS by lighting a virtual candle on the
International AIDS Candlelight Memorial website:
Light a Candle

Join us in remembering those we’ve lost, so we can continue creating events and opportunities that keep us safe, healthy, and alive.
Use social media to share your stories and messages of support using the hashtags #CandlelightMemorial and #PLHIVLeadersNow, and tag us @ehpv to ensure maximum visibility.

The NGO Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EHPV), as the national coordinator of the Candlelight Memorial in Estonia, leads efforts to strengthen the leadership of people living with HIV (PLHIV) as part of a sustainable, people-centered, and long-term HIV response aimed at controlling the epidemic.

Our Goals:

  • To end AIDS-related deaths, stop new HIV infections, and protect the lives of people living with HIV by revitalizing the PLHIV movement and advocating for guaranteed access to treatment and quality of life for all people living with and affected by HIV.

 

WRITE A LETTER

Write a letter to yourself or in memory of someone you’ve lost on the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial website:

Option 1: Tribute to someone you loved and lost to AIDS

  • Three things you loved about them.
  • Three things you want to tell them about how you continue living or working with HIV.
  • A simple message to the world about how people can support you and others living with HIV.

Option 2: A love letter to yourself

  • Three ways you’ve hurt yourself, and how you plan to heal.
  • Three things you love about yourself.
  • One piece of advice you want to give your future self.

We hope that, unlike the HIV epidemic — which society failed to fully address in its time — the COVID-19 pandemic will change the way people perceive all virus-related social challenges.
It is essential to support those who strive to overcome these issues, regardless of age, gender, or circumstances. For people living with HIV, it has long been clear that viruses do not forgive complacency. On this day, we hope that understanding reaches everyone.

JOIN US ON MAY 18 TO REMEMBER THOSE LOST TO AIDS:

  1. Light a memorial candle on your terrace, balcony, garden, or another meaningful place.
  2. Remember your loved ones, friends, or acquaintances lost to AIDS, and offer a prayer for them.
  3. Share your memories and photos on social media, and don’t forget to include the hashtag #ehpv or tag us @EHPV — NGO Estonian Network of People Living with HIV.

 

Contact Information:

  • In Russian: +372 5870 6070
  • In Estonian: +372 5557 8131
  • In English: +372 5557 8131
  • Email: ehpv@ehpv.ee

In solidarity with you during this challenging time,
NGO Estonian Network of People Living with HIV (EHPV)

Happy May 1st!

Happy May 1st!
Today we celebrate International Workers’ Day – a time to honor workers, their rights, and their dignity.
EHPV thanks everyone who contributes to society with their work and heart, supports others, and stands for equal opportunities!
Let’s take a moment today for rest, solidarity, and hope for a better tomorrow.
#EHPV #MayDay #WorkersDay #Solidarity #Equality

We warmly invite you to our fashion exhibition opening ceremony “RED STRING”

Hello!

We warmly invite you to our fashion exhibition opening ceremony “RED STRING”, taking place on April 28 at 17:00 on the 2nd floor of Tartu Kaubamaja! Come join us for some snacks, drinks, and great vibes!
RED STRING focuses on HIV awareness through fashion – the costumes and personal stories speak of invisible courage, everyday life, and what it means to live openly.
It’s an exhibition that invites you to reflect, feel, and empathize.

This exhibition is dedicated to raising awareness about HIV, aiming to highlight the daily lives of people living with HIV and break down misconceptions and stigma surrounding the virus. Our project’s goal is to create a safe and supportive space where experiences can be shared, accurate information can be promoted, and a sense of unity can be strengthened.

The posters for the event can be found in the attachment, both in English and Estonian.

NB: The event itself will be in estonian, but all the information in the exhibition is also available in english!

We’re really looking forward to seeing you there! Join us for a meaningful evening!

Warm regards,

The RED STRING team

Instagram: @redstringest