The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Northern Saskatchewan is reporting about 12 to 24 new cases of HIV a year, part of a disturbing province-wide rise of the infection. Saskatchewan has the highest rate of new HIV infections in Canada, with the trend extending to the province's three northern health regions. 'In the past we used to see about an average of seven new cases per year,' said Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, deputy medical health officer for the three northern regions. 'We now have on average about one to two cases diagnosed per month within the three northern health regions.' On average, Dr. Khaketla said, that is a rate similar to that of Saskatchewan as a whole, which has seen an increasing number of HIV infections over much of the past decade. But it's difficult to say how many people within a given region have HIV. 'Some people may have been diagnosed while living outside the health region and then moved to the area,' Dr. Khaketla said, 'or have been diagnosed in the region but moved away, or may be accessing care outside the health region.' Then there is the fact that many people who have HIV are unaware that they carry the virus. Northern Saskatchewan consists of the Athabasca, Keewatin and Mamawetan Churchill River health regions, the latter of which includes Creighton and Denare Beach. See 'Actively...' on pg. 6 Continued from pg. 1 Since testing is key to limiting the spread of HIV, in 2012 Mamawetan began actively monitoring HIV testing rates and exploring ways to remove barriers to testing. Data shows that within Mamawetan, a monthly average of 89.9 HIV tests were performed in 2012. The goal now is to increase that number, as the Saskatchewan government is striving to boost province-wide HIV testing by 50 per cent by 2017. In addition to increased testing, Dr. Khaketla said Mamawetan has identified HIV education, treatment and support as areas requiring additional focus. 'Part of this is working towards removing stigma,' she said, 'and making HIV testing a normal part of the health visit for all adults in the region, not just for those who are considered to be at high risk, increasing education and awareness among health care providers and the general public, and finding ways to make it easier for people to get tested.' Dr. Khaketla stressed the importance of getting tested. 'It is important for people to know their status in order to get diagnosed early, access treatment and get engaged in care,' she said. 'As part of HIV testing, counseling is provided before and after the test results and that includes education to clients about protecting themselves and reducing risk of transmission to others. All pregnant women, and all adult patients who are diagnosed with tuberculosis are already routinely tested for HIV.' Across Saskatchewan, the number of new reported HIV cases rose most years between 2002 and 2011. There were 26 new cases in 2002 compared to 186 in 2011. Across Canada, an estimated 71,300 people knowingly live with HIV or the syndrome it can cause, AIDS. HIV can be spread through sexual activity or through the sharing or needles and other drug paraphernalia that has had contact with blood, even if blood is not visible to the naked eye. Residents who wish to be tested for HIV can consult their doctor or the Primary Health Care Centre.
