HIV: free treatment and testing for all patients in Poland. What about citizens of Ukraine?

The Ministry of Health has published a communiqué on the principles of antiretroviral treatment for HIV-infected persons. As recalled, according to Article 41 (3) of the Law of December 5, 2008 on the Prevention and Control of Infections and Infectious Diseases in Humans, antiretroviral (ARV) therapy is provided on the basis of a government health policy program.

The current Government Health Policy Program entitled "Antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV in Poland" with the module "DAA treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients incarcerated in penitentiary institutions" is implemented for 2022-2026. The program covers all people living with HIV in Poland, regardless of their title to health insurance.

The Health Ministry stresses that the Law of March 12, 2022 on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens Due to War on the Territory of Ukraine does not affect access to drugs and tests under this program. This means that Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland can receive antiretroviral treatment on the same terms as other patients.

Antiretroviral drugs are dispensed under the program and diagnostic tests are available. Doctor's visits to the Ambulatory Specialized Care (AOS), during which patients receive medications and tests are performed, are financed according to the rules set forth in the Law of August 27, 2004 on health care services financed from public funds - and therefore available to persons with a title to health insurance.

According to Article 37 of the aforementioned Law on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine, persons who came to Poland due to warfare, as well as holders of the Card of the Pole with their families, are entitled to health care services, including those in the AOS.

Source: MZ