During the full-scale war, protecting the health of service members is also an important part of supporting Ukraine’s Defence Forces. The CO “100% LIFE” draws on its many years of experience in the HIV response to help ensure that essential knowledge, rapid tests, and access to further treatment are also available within the military healthcare system.

As part of the project “Strategic Enhancement of the HIV/AIDS Response in the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” implemented by the CO “100% LIFE”, a new training course titled “Protecting Health: HIV, Hepatitis, and Tuberculosis” has been developed. It will help service members understand how to protect themselves while on duty and what to do if if they are potentially exposed to an infection.

The course is now available in the Training section of Army+, an application for service members developed by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine in cooperation with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The course explains how HIV, viral hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis are transmitted, which situations carry a risk of infection, and debunks common myths about these infections.

Army+ now offers 30 training courses covering a wide range of topics – from tactical medicine, psychological preparedness, and military leadership to unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, cyber hygiene, and digital systems. These courses help service members gain practical knowledge, develop professional skills, and better protect their health and safety while on duty.

During the course, service members will learn:

• what HIV, viral hepatitis B and C, and tuberculosis are and how they affect health;
• how to reduce the risk of infection in everyday life and in field conditions, including when providing first aid;
• what HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis is and how to obtain it free of charge;
• what to do after contact with blood or other bodily fluids and when post-exposure prophylaxis may be needed;
• how to protect themselves against hepatitis B through vaccination and check their vaccination status;
• when to get tested for HIV and viral hepatitis, what the “window period” means, and where to access confidential testing;
• how HIV and hepatitis C are treated today and how to continue treatment when changing duty stations;
• how to recognize the signs of tuberculosis, undergo appropriate testing, and complete the full course of treatment.

The course combines essential knowledge with practical recommendations and clear guidance for situations that may arise during military service. It will help service members distinguish genuine risks from common myths, respond promptly, and know where to seek assistance. Developing the training course is one component of the project’s comprehensive efforts to expand service members’ access to the prevention, testing, diagnosis, and treatment of HIV and other socially significant infections.

The course was developed at the initiative of the Medical Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in partnership with the Health Department of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the CO “100% LIFE”, with financial support from the U.S. Government.

The CO “100% Life” expresses its sincere gratitude to the Medical Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Health Department of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, and the Army+ team for their cooperation and the opportunity to develop and deliver this course together. Our team is honored to contribute to this work and bring its expertise to efforts that help protect the health of service members.

The project “Strategic Enhancement of the HIV/AIDS Response in the Armed Forces of Ukraine” is implemented by the CO “100% LIFE” with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP).