The Saskatchewan NDP is calling on the provincial government to create a comprehensive HIV strategy, after a spike in HIV and syphilis cases was observed in the last few months.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) announced recently that an outbreak of those two sexually transmitted diseases had occurred in the North Battleford and Lloydminster areas. Forty-two new cases of syphilis were reported in the last five months. Fifteen new cases of HIV were also reported.
There are an average of four HIV cases in those areas annually, while there are fewer than seven cases of syphilis.
Overall, in the first quarter of this year, there were 50 new HIV cases reported across the province, which was an increase from 36 new cases in the fourth quarter of last year, according to the SHA. The province saw 162 cases in total in 2018.
“It’s quite concerning to see those numbers,” Vicki Mowat, the NDP health critic, told the Moose Jaw Express. “If the numbers stay on track for the whole year, that would be 200 new cases (in 2019). That would be quite a bit higher than in the last four years.”
In light of the HIV and syphilis outbreak recently, “it is past time that the provincial government put together a comprehensive strategy to address this ongoing epidemic,” she continued, adding this needs to be taken seriously.
Mowat was unsure why the provincial government has failed to address this issue. She noted the NDP asked a similar question in a committee meeting and encouraged the province to act quickly. Furthermore, advocates across Saskatchewan have been asking for a strategy since 2016; the province has been without an HIV plan since 2014.
“We’ve seen the numbers creep up since then,” said Mowat.
She noted the health minister, Jim Reiter, has said there is increased testing across the province for HIV and AIDS, which means more cases would be reported. However, Mowat pointed to a government report that said testing has not increased as much as first thought.
“I think it dispels that myth and calls attention to the fact that we really do need the supports in place to manage this,” she continued, “and that comes from having a comprehensive strategy.”
The health authority’s AIDS/HIV report also says there is a concern that people who are contagious will spread these diseases, Mowat said. She thought it was time for the provincial government to re-evaluate its priorities and use this outbreak as an opportunity to “put people first.”
As part of a comprehensive HIV strategy, the NDP would like to see people who are leaders in this particular field, from community organizations to clinics and physicians, explained Mowat. These people are on the front lines and could provide expert advice.
Furthermore, there should be a plan to ensure there is adequate education across the province, not only for prevention but also to reduce stigma, she continued. It’s also important to have dedicated supports when treatment is required to ensure the appropriate medical personnel are available.
“I think,” added Mowat, “there are a whole host of pieces that would be included in a comprehensive strategy.”
