Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - November 15, 2005
Dozens of private sector leaders were expected to discuss how their businesses can provide preventive information about HIV/AIDS to their workers and help reduce the economic costs of infection.
Ukraine has one of the highest HIV infection rates in Eastern Europe, with the government saying 76,875 HIV-positive people have officially been registered since the first reported case in 1987.
President Viktor Yushchenko noted last weekend, however, that some experts suggest as many as 500,000 people - 1% of the population - are infected. He has said tackling HIV/AIDS will be a major focus for his administration next year.
Tuesday's conference was to bring together business leaders with aid workers and government officials, such as Anatoliy Kinakh, head of the National Security and Defense Council and the leader of a business-oriented political party.
Many Ukrainians with HIV complain of discrimination and prejudice in employment and in getting medical treatment, with some doctors reluctant to treat them because of a lack of information about the illness.
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