Press Release
From: Public Health Agency of Canada
December 20, 2023 | Whitehorse, Yukon
Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced more than $1.1 million in funding through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund (CAF) to support the work of community-based organizations addressing HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) in Whitehorse.
STBBI are preventable, treatable and in many cases curable. However, these infections remain a significant public health concern in Canada, especially among Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, Black and racialized communities as well as other equity-deserving communities. Systemic stigma, exclusion and discrimination create barriers that prevent people from getting tested or accessing the care they need when they need it. That is why the Government of Canada has put a priority on supporting community-based projects that incorporate evidence-based strategies that address these barriers.
Initially announced in August 2022 at the 24th annual International AIDS Conference, the HIV self-test initiative is bolstered by an additional $8.6 million. This funding provides support to 50 community-based organizations through March 2024 to offset costs associated with efforts to distribute the HIV self-test kits to their key populations. Self-test kits offer a safe, reliable, anonymous and confidential way for people to determine their infection status. They are an important tool for combatting the stigma and discrimination that present barriers to care.
The Government of Canada will continue to work with community-based organizations, Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, researchers, public health, and the health sector to prevent new infections and support the global goal of ending HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBI as public health concerns.
Quotes
“Community-based organizations play a fundamental role to improve the health of people in Canada who have HIV and promote culturally safe community-led models to increase testing in remote, rural and northern settings. These organizations understand the needs of the communities they serve. This Government of Canada funding will support the critical work of community based organizations and help people living with HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBI, as well as those at risk of infection.”
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the contributions of community-based organizations to improve the health of people in Canada, and to help those disproportionally affected key populations known to be more adversely affected by STBBI such as people who use drugs. The projects announced under the Harm Reduction Fund help community-based efforts to reduce stigma toward these populations, to prevent new and reoccurring infections and connect people to testing, prevention, treatment and care.”
The Honourable Ya’ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health
“Community-based organizations play a critical role in engaging with people living with HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBI, and those at risk of infection, to help with prevention and education, as well as testing, treatment, and support needs. This investment supports Blood Ties Four Directions Centre Society to address the realities we face here in the Yukon in a culturally sensitive and stigma-free way.”
Brendan Hanley
Member of Parliament for Yukon
Quick Facts
Associated links
Contacts
Christopher Aoun
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
613-291-4176
Alexander Fernandes
Press Secretary and Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Honourable Ya’ara Saks
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
613-290-0318
Public Inquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca
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