Saskatchewan continues to be a leader in the country when it comes to new cases of HIV reported per capita.
According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, in 2021, 237 new cases were registered in the province.
This is a 29% increase from the 184 cases in 2020 and the most registered in the province in one year.
The number of new cases in Saskatchewan is approximately three times the national average.
Not only HIV is seeing an increase in the countryside; sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia are also on the rise.
Dr. Johnmark Opondo, a medical professional at the Saskatchewan Health Authority and an HIV expert, offered some arguments as to why Saskatchewan is currently having new infections.
“I think some of the risk factors that make the acquisition of HIV possible – such as dangerous needle use or needle sharing or drug use – are still on the rise in Saskatchewan,” Opondo said. “The other way to transmit HIV is through unprotected sexual contact with multiple partners.
“If these two risk factors are still going on, then unfortunately our numbers will go on.”
Opondo says more people per capita inject drugs in western Canada than in eastern Canada, and the problem is becoming particularly serious in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
“A life of chronic stress, poverty, frustration and drug use is beginning this whole vicious circle,” he said.
“Saskatchewan and Manitoba are very, very similar. And unfortunately, the trends of our diseases are similar. We may be at different stages of the epidemic, but I wouldn’t be surprised if our numbers and the increases you’ve seen in Saskatchewan are in Manitoba.
The health ministry is spending $ 5.799 million to support HIV services across the province.
An HIV self-test initiative was launched in January to increase access to low-barrier testing. Self-tests are free, with kits available at health centers, pharmacies and other locations in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Rosthern, Nipawin, La Ronge, La Loche, Green Lake, North Battleford and Yorkton.
It is hoped that expanding the availability of HIV self-testing will directly support the people of Saskatchewan who are most at risk of HIV.
Opondo says there is a lot of work to be done to reduce the numbers.
“I think the first thing is that we need to re-engage patients. “I don’t think any of the allegations that the pandemic (COVID-19) had any effect or blaming the pandemic at all are true,” he said.
“In the years from 2010 to 2014, when we actually had a coordinated provincial strategy, this helped our numbers and reversed the trend. So with focus and tighter coordination, I believe we can turn the situation around.
Vidy Reddy, a specialist in education and information on AIDS programs in South Saskatchewan (APSS), believes there needs to be a new approach to curbing growing infections.
“Unlike the rest of the country, the main driver of HIV infection is the use of injectables,” Reddy said. “Ultimately, we need to make the use of injectables and access to safe supplies widespread throughout the province.
“Places for safe consumption, education – all these things must go hand in hand with harm reduction measures.”
APSS is responsible for distributing about one million clean needles a year. It also provides educational and information sessions in the community, as well as in the schools and communities of the first nations in Saskatchewan to promote information testing and treatment for HIV.
Reddy says support for harm reduction measures remains a vital aspect in reducing the number of HIV cases in the province.
“There is a burden on the health care system for every person diagnosed with HIV,” Reddy said. “Their use of the health system is drastically reduced with harm reduction interventions.
“It saves health costs, saves community costs, increases security, reduces contact with the judiciary and ultimately saves our society huge costs by saving lives.”
Add Comment