Hivpoint promotes health, wellbeing and equality for those most affected by HIV. Hivpoint focuses on prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and supports both people living with HIV, their loved ones and people concerned about HIV. Hivpoint provides testing, support and counselling services related to HIV and other STIs.
What are our goals?
- Preventing HIV and other STIs
- Supporting and promoting the well-being of PLWH
- Promoting equality and human rights of PLWH
- To provide support and counselling services
- To develop counselling and testing services aimed to prevent HIV and other STIs
Who can use Hivpoint´s services?
We offer face-to-face counselling for people living with HIV and their partners. Our course activities aim to increase the inclusion and well-being of PLWH. Services for PLWH are targeted both for those who are newly diagnosed and for those who have been living with HIV for a longer period.
Our testing services are primarily intended for asymptomatic people who have been at risk of contracting an STI but who find it challenging to seek testing in public health care. For example, men who have sex with men, trans and non-binary people, and some immigrants may face challenges in getting tested. People who have multiple sexual partners often need regular STI testing.
At our counselling services (phone helpline and chat), we give support to anyone who has concerns or who needs information about HIV and other STIs. We also consult healthcare professionals. In our services you can discuss confidentially with a sexual health expert, for example about testing or the risks of HIV or other STIs.
We provide training on HIV, other STIs and other sexual health issues for social and health care professionals, students and those interested in the topic.
Why is Hivpoint needed?
HIV is associated with social inequality. Some population groups are more vulnerable to HIV infection than others. There is still strong stigma around HIV and PLWH continue to face discrimination, prejudice and even harassment. It is important for us to build a society where every person has equal rights and is treated with respect. We want to dismantle stigma so that all people can get the support and sexual health services they need. Achieving the goals set for HIV work and the effective prevention of HIV and other STIs requires that services and prevention are targeted to right population groups.
Hivpoint was founded in 1986, at a time when HIV was just becoming a global epidemic. At that time, the organisation was called the AIDS Council. The HIV Foundation was established in 1997. The AIDS Council changed its name to HIV Council in 2011 and to Hivpoint in 2017. Hivpoint is still managed by the HIV Foundation.
The Board of HIV Foundation
The HIV Foundation administers Hivpoint. The HIV Foundation is ideologically and religiously independent. The affairs of the Foundation are managed and represented by a Board consisting of six members and six deputy members. The Chairman of the Board of the HIV Foundation for the term 2023–2024 is Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, Member of Parliament (Left Alliance). The Vice Chairman of the Board of the HIV Foundation is Risto Hartikainen, and the second Vice Chair is Linda Eklöf.
What is the yearly budget of Hivpoint and how is it funded?
Hivpoint’s annual budget is approximately 700,000 euros. The main funder of the activities is the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA), whose grant covers approximately 80 per cent of funding. In 2024, two new three-year projects funded by STEA are launched. One of the projects is a project promoting the well-being of Ukrainians PLHW living in Finland, and the other is a development project implemented together with the A-Clinic Foundation, which aims to integrate HIV work to services provides for people who use drugs.
With the funding from of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health we offer a low-threshold STI testing service implemented to target the on-going gonorrhea epidemic. The project will run for three years, 2024–2026.
Read more about our projects (in Finnish) >>
Grants are also received from the City of Helsinki. Hivpoint’s operations have also been funded by private companies, such as pharmaceutical companies GSK Finland and Gilead Sciences Finland.
Does Hivpoint take donations?
Donations from private individuals are a significant addition to our funding. All of the donated funds go towards HIV work in Finland. Read more about our donating options from here.