Georgia

Key Results in 2022-2023

The latest National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2023-2025 now includes the needs of the transgender community.
Stigma-free healthcare services were strengthened through the integration of professional capacity development initiatives on stigma and discrimination into the existing accredited course on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and HIV and the continuous medical education programme.
The first Stigma Index 2.0 study in Georgia generated evidence for advocacy and stimulated policy and programmatic changes to end HIV related stigma and discrimination in the country.

Joint Programme Results

In Georgia, the Joint Programme continued to advocate and support the Government with focus on integrating the commitment to leaving no one behind into the national policies and development framework (UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, WHO). Following successful advocacy efforts, the needs of the transgender population has been reflected into the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2023-2025 and National HIV prevention Standards. Additionally, a protocol on standards of HIV prevention services for key populations, including the transgender population was developed and 60 healthcare providers had orientation on the updated protocols. Mapping and assessment of facility- and community-led HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) programmes for young and adult people from key populations further strengthened their access to integrated HIV and SRH services (UNFPA, WHO).

Through collaboration with the nongovernmental organization Bemoni Public Union, 30 youth workers and more than 3500 adolescents from Tbilisi and rural areas were trained on HIV prevention (UNICEF). As part of randomized control trials, the Joint Programme also supported initiatives that apply the behavioural insight approaches to consolidate platforms for anonymous counselling and youth-friendly services, aiming at boosting uptake of HIV self-testing among young people (UNDP, UNFPA).

HIV incidence per 1000 uninfected populations

Source: AIDSinfo

AIDS mortality per 1000 population

Source: AIDSinfo

Progress towards 95-95-95 targets

Source: AIDSinfo

With technical support from the Joint Team, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC) conducted a readiness assessment of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis in Georgia; and updated the national EMTCT Action Plan 2022-2024, expanding it to include hepatitis B (UNICEF, UNFPA, WHO).

The Stigma Index 2.0 study was conducted for the first time in Georgia and generated strategic evidence on HIV-related stigma and discrimination as well as service barriers through a partnership with people living with HIV, NCDC and the AIDS Centre. The study also made recommendations to guide advocacy, policy change and programming to end HIV-related stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV in the country (UNFPA). Following these findings and recommendations, the accredited post-graduate course on SRHR/HIV has been updated with the focus on stigma and discrimination and 571 service providers received training to improve the quality of SRHR/HIV services for key populations.