April 11 , 2022 The Honorable Mr. Tanel Kiik Minister of Health and Labour of the Republic of Estonia Maarjo Mändmaa , Secretary G eneral of the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia Social Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of the Republic of Estonia) Dear Minister Kiik , On behalf of Support foundation “RIGRA”, a harm reduction organization from Lithuania, we would like to express our concern regarding planned restructuring of The National Institute for Health Development (NIHD). Thanks to the close, long-term cooperation of Estonian civil society and commun ity organizations with the NIHD, Estonia launched one of the most progressive programs for people who use drugs in the region and managed to reduce overdose rates, divert people from prison, improve access of people who use drugs to health and social services and reduce the prevalence of HIV among key population groups. C ommunity representatives are successfully implement ing projects aimed at working with vulnerable populations such as people living with HIV and people with problematic drug use. Given the high level of discrimination against these groups , and in accordance with UNAIDS guiding principles on t he meaningful and measurable involvement of civil society, especially people living with HIV and populations most at risk of HIV infection, the involvement of community representatives in the decision-making processes and development of services is essential . We hope that Estonian government agencies will continue to adhere to the same principles of meaningful involvement and cooperation with civil society and ensure the sustainability and quality of harm reduction services. We urge the Estonian government to: Suspend the process of liquidation of NIH D until the situation with the COVID epidemic and the crisis that arose due to the influx of war refugees from Ukraine stabilizes Involve community representatives, service providers and other stakeholders in the decision-making process and come up with a clear transition plan to ensure the continuity and sustainability of services and maintain their quality during the transition. Yours faithfully, Gra z ina Aleksaitien e and Ignas Kan c elskis Support foundation “RIGRA” Kaunas, Lithuania
Saatja: Fondas Rigra <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 11.04.2022 09:43
Adressaat: Tanel Kiik <
[email protected]>
Koopia: Maarjo Mändmaa <
[email protected]>; SM Info <
[email protected]>;
<
[email protected]>
Teema: Expressing our support to harm reduction programs in Estonia
Dear Minister Kiik,
Please find an attached letter regarding the situation of harm reduction
programs in Estonia.
We strongly state that continuous funding to harm reduction is essential.
Please consider the possible consequences and the loss of all great work
done if the funding is cut.
Kind regards,
Grazina Aleksaitiene and Ignas Kancelskis
Support foundation "RIGRA"
Kaunas, Lithuania