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Canada’s Interior Health Authority
will launch a new HIV testing program that potentially could lead to the end of
HIV, according to health officials. Three cities in British Columbia—Merritt,
Vernon, and Trail—will implement the Stop HIV/AIDS program, which will make HIV
testing a regular part of routine medical screenings to increase early
detection. Previously, healthcare providers tested only pregnant women or
persons who self-identified as participating in high-risk behavior.
“It’s really about going from a
risk-based testing model, where the client has to self-identify that they’re in
a risk group, to recognizing that just about everyone has some risk factors and
so it’s part of a normal screening process,” said Denise McKay, Interior
Health’s Stop HIV/AIDS project leader. “I think this is a really exciting time
because, for the first time in our history, we have the ability to change the
course of HIV,” she said.
All acute care and community
hospital-type organizations will implement the program, but McKay hoped that
all doctors also would apply the program as part of their own routine care. The
program will provide a standard for future implementation strategies in future
locations. The program will run from September to November 2013.
A general public marketing campaign
will accompany the program. McKay said education for healthcare providers also
was important. The Interior Health Authority wanted to ensure the medical staff
was comfortable providing testing, recognized important points to discuss with
the patient, and knew how to provide support when a patient tested positive for
HIV.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
