On Friday, January 5^th, Liudmyla Dmytrieva and her husband, John, stopped by to say “Hello” and to pass on “Holiday Greetings”.

Luda was one of our earliest colleagues starting to work with us in April 2003.  At that time, she was finishing up her studies at the National University of Taras Shevchenko.

She worked with us until leaving for the States in August 2007, as a Muskie Fellow to work on a MPH at the University of Wisconsin- La Crosse.  There she specialized on health education.

Two years later she rejoined us for a few years before marrying John and moving to the UK.

Now Luda has moved on to lecture community health education at the University of Coventry.

We are always pleased and happy that “Old timers”, like Luda, continue to come by and to share with us their ever expanding life experiences and their ever expanding interests in public health.

Recently, with the financial support of the Director of the International HIV / AIDS and Tuberculosis Institute of the International HIV / AIDS Institute, US Army Colonel Eliot Pearlman 50 copies of "Manual for Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV by Rapid Tests" were delivered to the hospital of the Southern region of Ukraine. The manual was developed by specialists of the Institute, leading experts of the Central Sanitary and Epidemiological Department and scientists of the Ukrainian Military Medical Academy.

The Cabinet of voluntary (anonymous) counseling and testing for HIV / AIDS continues to work actively at the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Southern Region (Odessa), where servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine receive individual (or group) pre- and post- test counseling on the prevention of infection with HIV infection. Also, at his own discretion, the soldier can pass and tests for the specified infection. In the case of a positive or uncertain outcome of an HIV test, a person has the opportunity to receive post-test counseling, psychological help and support.

In 2017, more than 2,000 troops of various categories, including participants in the ATO zone, turned to this Cabinet for advice on preventive measures for the transmission of dangerous diseases. All without exception have been provided with specialized advice, assistance and support. Relevant measures are held in complete confidentiality, in accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine of 19.08.2005 No. 415 "On Improvement of Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV Infection". The work of the VCT cabinet is supported by the Preventive Medicine Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

The international non-governmental organization "International Institute of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis" sent 150 copies of the "Manual on Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV with Rapid Testing" to 65th mobile military hospital, which complete tasks for appointment in the ATO area. The manual was developed with the specialists of the Institute and the leading specialists of the Preventive Medicine Service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

The leadership of the 65th mobile military hospital supports the updating and replenishment of basic knowledge about HIV / AIDS among servicemen who undergo treatment in the said institution of health protection of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and contributes to the understanding that AIDS is a problem not only for every person in particular, but for all mankind in general.

So, the Manual was welcomed and now is used by servicemen!

This year, for the first time in Ukraine, we are celebrate Christmas on the Gregorian calendar, with the majority of the Christian world. On this day of forgiveness and light feelings, we wish you a happy, long time, surrounded by love and good fortune! Let your dreams come true, and the hardest tasks are easily exposed to your charm and hard work!