Children with HIV are being adopted more often in Russia

Russians have become more likely to adopt children diagnosed with HIV. This was announced by Olga Kiryanova, director of the Children + charitable foundation, in an interview with Izvestia.

According to her, in 2005 there were 800 HIV-infected children and adolescents in orphanages and children’s homes, in 2019 – 600. Today, 500 children with HIV remain in such institutions, while in Moscow, the Moscow region and several large cities There are no more young orphans with HIV in Russia.

Kiryanova believes that the change was facilitated by the availability of information about HIV – future parents can read about such children on the Internet and understand that they do not pose a danger to others. People can also find reviews from other foster families, talk to them in person and take special seminars.

The director of the fund noted that the life of children with HIV is characterized by social disadvantage. She added that they may be treated differently in orphanages. For example, in some institutions, employees understand that the virus is not transmitted by household means, but in others the situation can develop much worse, and then children with HIV can be made outcasts.

“After orphanages, only 30 percent of children are socialized, and the chances of adolescents with HIV are even lower. Their lives are completely dependent on regular therapy. Therefore, they really need a family, motivated adults who will help them not to abandon treatment in difficult times, ”Kiryanova explained.

In July 2020, the government allowed Russians with HIV to adopt children, become guardians, and take them into foster or foster families. The main condition is to be under the dispensary supervision of an infectious disease doctor for more than a year and to receive antiretroviral therapy. For medical reasons, the patient’s T-cell count should be less than 350 cells per microliter.

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source https://pledgetimes.com/children-with-hiv-are-being-adopted-more-often-in-russia/