HIV testing for all

published on November 5, 2013 in The StarPhoenix

Program to roll out gradually

Patients in the Saskatoon Health Region will start receiving offers of HIV tests from their doctors, but they'll be able to opt out if they choose.

The voluntary testing and counselling will be offered to "all patients aged 13 to 64 receiving primary or emergency health care who do not know their HIV status, or who are sexually active and have not had an HIV test in the last 12 months," the Saskatchewan HIV testing policy states.

It also emphasizes the need for testing of pregnant women, people being treated for any sexually transmitted infection, and anyone with tuberculosis or Hepatitis C. The "opt out" policy, recommended by a provincewide HIV leadership team in January, has been adopted by the SHR and is being introduced gradually to doctors in the region, deputy medical health officer Dr. Johnmark Opondo said Monday.

The ongoing effort to increase testing in Saskatchewan aims to find undiagnosed cases of the virus so it can be treated and transmission to others can be avoided, Opondo said.

Betty Ann Adam
The StarPhoenix
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Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.

© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
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Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
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(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

© Copyright BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS
St. Paul's Hospital 608–1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 1Y6
Tel: 604-806-8477 | Fax: 604-806-9044
General inquiries: info@bccfe.ca
Media inquiries: communications@bccfe.ca
(Please do not use any of these email addresses to send personal information or book an appointment. To book appointments or contact the H2H clinic, please call 604-416-1517 or fax: 604-564-4893. Do not send your or your client's personal information via email.)

Our work serves clients and communities across British Columbia on lands and waters cared for and nurtured by the many distinct First Nations across the province. The BC-CfE humbly and gratefully acknowledge the stewards of these lands, particularly the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded, traditional and ancestral territories our offices are located.