HIV/AIDS activists in Ukraine, a country that has Europe's highest rate of HIV infections, are not happy about the fact that its premier facility devoted to treating the deadly virus might get closed down.

In Ukraine about 1.6 per cent of adult population is infected by the virus but activists say that the authorities are planning to shut down the treatment facility for making a hotel.

Activists are though firm that they will not give up the fight.

Volodymyr Zhovtyak is the head of the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV. About 10 years ago this organization had started and at that time there Ukraine had no testing for HIV.

Earlier this week, at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Zhovtyak gave a rousing speech.

In 2006, the Network, had won a United Nations Red Ribbon Award for its achievements in combating discrimination is now getting closed, is something the activists can not take.

In Ukraine antiretroviral therapy is being taken by about 16,000 people but there are almost as many who need such care and don't get it.

According to the activists the facility that is situated next to Orthodox monastery, is to be converted into a hotel.

They also alleged the previous Ukranian government of wasting millions of dollars intended for the treatment and care of AIDS patients.

Dmytro Sherembey, a spokesman for the Network, said, "Of course they make an insincere promise they're going to build a new clinic."