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Dear friends,
We regret to inform you the traditional recondition stay for people living with HIV (PLWHA) has been cancelled. Our traditional partner ŠvP (school in countryside) Střelské Hoštice recalled the preliminary contract with us because they had another application from any school for the same date. They are obliged to fulfill primarily their duties for the schools.
We have tried to found a reserve option but we have not been successful (we have been under time pressure and as well under financial pressure because we have not been successful in any grant application for Czech participants).
We hope to be able to continue in our tradition the next year.

Regards
Czech AIDS Help Society

ENGLISH CONTENT

A Short Guide to The History of The Czech AIDS Help Society

The Czech AIDS Help Society was established at the end of 1989. The first impulse came from close friends and families of HIV-positive, who wished to bring some practical contribution in helping HIV-positive individuals deal with various impacts of their disease. Due to the fact that the former workers at the Society did not have much contacts with people infected by the disease, the society initially focused more on prevention and education rather than on providing direct help to the HIV-positive. This is the main reason why the society's activities remained relatively unknown in the past.

This situation changed with the personnel changes introduced in 1993 when HIV-positive individuals became directly involved in the running of the Czech AIDS Help Society. Nevertheless, after the death of Jiří Horský, the Society's late chairman, the Czech AIDS Help Society's activities came partly to a stand still. This situation persisted until January 1997 when Václav Strouhal became the society's chairman. Václav Strouhal succeeded ingathering a group of people who introduced a clear concept and a new programme to the society addressing not only people with HIV or AIDS. The scope of the society's activities also expanded beyond the borders of the Czech Republic.

The Lighthouse

The ceremonial opening of the "Lighthouse" took place on August 11, 1999. The house is open for all people affected by HIV/AIDS, their friends, and their families. The Lighthouse is a safe center for anyone affected in any way by this malicious disease and offers a wide range of services. Attention is paid also to problems related to all levels of discrimination, prejudices, and lack of information. The tranquil premises of the house provide privacy for all of its visitors and the group of the society's members is ready to provide help, information and support. This refuge of peace can be visited by anyone, whether coming with questions, looking for general information, or just coming to have a talk.

Residential premises housing 15 beds are located on the first floor of the building. In this part of the building, a temporary recovery care and long-term and short-term accommodation is available for HIV/AIDS infected individuals and their close ones. The accommodation is also available for people living outside Prague who come to Prague to visit a doctor. Single and double bed rooms and a family room are available. The house also contains a smoking room, non-smoking room, social room, TV room, patio, winter garden, laundry, kitchen in which guests can cook their own meals, and a dining room. Guests, including children, are always welcome and can stay overnight if agreed.

A number of therapy programmes under the leadership of experienced assistants is available. Apart from individual therapy consisting mainly of relaxation massage and electrotherapy, you can also participate in group recovery exercises combined with music therapy, or let yourself be introduced to the world of yoga. The most popular recovery facility is the bubble bath. The psychosocial advisory room is available where you can get professional advice. You can receive information on new treatments and on the importance of adhering to the treatment program and attending regular meetings with a physician. Healers from the Association of Healers are ready to offer alternative treatments. For believers, meetings with representatives of various churches can be arranged.

Our Services

• HIV TESTING - ANONYMOUS AND FREE OF CHARGE (also available for foreigners)
  The test are provided in the surgery of the Lighthouse subsequently:
  Monday 4pm - 7pm
  Wednesday 9am - 12am
  For a map, our address and telephone numbers see contacts.
  There is a requisite time of two months to be kept from your last sexual risk (or from the risk you get tested for).
• CERTIFICATION
  If you need a certificate that you are HIV- for a travel abroad (some countries claim it) the service isn´t anonymous and it is defrayable, the fee is 600 CZK. The certificate will be accomplished in a two days´ time.

HIV, Foreigners and Health Insurance in the Czech Republic

If a person is self-employed and wants to have Czech health insurance, he or she has to ask for the agreement with the health insurance company and ask for the same one like all Czech citizens have (even if it is more expensive). Usually they offer him/her the agreement covering only emergency cases (but they can be covered by his/her own health insurance as well or almost at the same level).
The problem is that he or she cannot have two health insurances in one EU. So either he or she will have one in his/her own country (and they will provide HIV care) or in our country (and we will do). If he or she will need the emergency care he/she will get it, but only emergency one otherwise he/she has to pay it and later (possibly) ask for the reimbursement. If he/she has the Czech one they will do it (if) up to the price at the Czech republic (the care in other countries can be more expensive).
There are few (if any) diffferences between health insurance companies in the CR but some of them ask for HIV test before making an agreement. But we can recommend a person the one we know they should not ask for it. The care (even outpatient care) for PLWHA is centralized at the "AIDS" treatment center (still the old name) at the infectious disease clinic in Prague, Bulovka hospital.

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