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Saskatchewan Stalls on HIV Emergency Declaration
11 May
Summary
- Saskatchewan's HIV rate is 18.6 per 100,000, nearly matching Manitoba's.
- Manitoba declared a public health emergency to boost HIV testing and awareness.
- Saskatchewan's government funds $7.4 million annually for HIV services.
Manitoba has declared a public health emergency due to its high HIV rate of 19.5 cases per 100,000 people, the highest in Canada. This declaration allows the province to increase HIV testing and public awareness.
Saskatchewan, facing a similar rate of 18.6 new HIV cases per 100,000 people as of 2024, has not announced whether it will follow suit. A government spokesperson cited existing annual funding of $7.4 million for HIV services and free self-test kits, plus an additional $1.18 million investment for early detection and reduced transmission.
The province also outlined a multi-year action plan focused on prevention, testing, treatment initiation, and ongoing care. The Saskatchewan NDP has proposed a bipartisan committee to study the issue, emphasizing the need to address the rising infection rates.
Advocates express concern that current measures are insufficient. They argue that the HIV crisis is intrinsically linked to broader societal issues such as addictions, housing insecurity, poverty, and mental health. Without significant, long-term investments in these areas and harm reduction strategies, they believe HIV rates will continue to climb.
Organizations like the Persons Living With AIDS Network of Saskatchewan are providing free rapid HIV tests and advocating for reinvestment in harm reduction supplies and accessible testing to combat the virus and its associated stigma.
