AHF in Europe

AHF in Europe

Exploring how AHF’s mission is progressing across the Atlantic

GUEST BIO:

Zoya Shabarova is the Europe Bureau Chief based in the Netherlands, covering the UK, Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Georgia, Greece, Portugal, and soon Poland.

CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:

[4:36] - Picking Our Places

Deciding where to expand in Europe and beyond

Expanding AHF in Europe and elsewhere is a balancing act. On one hand, the organization’s leaders look for the areas of greatest need, such as Ukraine in recent months. But they also seek opportunities where governments are open to partnerships and policymakers are actively seeking help from organizations such as this one. Where need and opportunity meet, AHF is able to accomplish amazing things.

[7:35] - Caring During Wartime

How AHF’s mission in Ukraine continues even amidst war

AHF’s program activities in Ukraine have not stopped for a moment, thanks to the tireless efforts of AHF team members at every level of the organization. “We were prepared, we had supplies, we had communication, and we really started to provide very efficient care to our patients— and not only patients who continue to be on the site, but patients who were on the road, fleeing for safe places, and also patients who then became refugees in other countries.”

[13:34] - AIDS in Europe: Where We Stand

The status of the fight against HIV and AIDS in Europe

In 2021 the Europe Bureau of AHF celebrated ten years since its establishment in 2011. Since then, the need continues— Eastern Europe is the only part of the world where HIV infection continues to grow. In Western Europe, countries are actively participating in international aid and funding. So AHF’s two primary tasks in the battle are to develop cost-efficient and community-based models for access to care, and providing migrants coming from developing countries with the care they need.

[17:31] - Overcoming Challenges

Unique roadblocks to establishing AHF in European countries

AHF must face and overcome unique challenges to adoption and care everywhere we go, including in Europe. Much of Estonia actively pursues a monopolist healthcare system in which community organizations are kept from providing care. AHF is seeking to help this and other nations see the power of partnership with civil society.

RESOURCES:

• [0:18] AHF’s Global Operations
• [13:47] HIV in Eastern Europe
• [15:55] Healthcare for Refugees in Europe

FOLLOW:

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ABOUT AFTER HOURS:

AIDS Healthcare Foundation is the world’s largest HIV/AIDS service organization, operating in 45 countries globally. The mission? Providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy for everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

The After Hours podcast is an official podcast of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, in which host Lauren Hogan is joined by experts in a range of fields to educate, inform, and inspire listeners on topics that go far beyond medical information to cover leadership, creativity, and success. 

Learn more at: https://www.aidshealth.org

ABOUT THE HOST:

Lauren Hogan is the Associate Director of Communications for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and has been working in a series of roles with the Foundation since 2016. She’s passionate about increa