More Than $1.3 Million Invested To Create Manitoba HIV Program, Reduce Spread Of Sexually-transmitted Infections, Promote Sexual Health

September 19, 2007
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Minister Encourages Manitobans to ‘Respect. Protect. Detect.’

More than $1.3 million will be invested over two years to create a Manitoba HIV program, reduce the spread of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and promote improved sexual health, Healthy Living Minister Kerri Irvin-Ross announced today.

“When left untreated, sexually-transmitted infections can cause serious long-term health problems for people and create significant pressures on our health-care system,” said Irvin-Ross. “Working with our partners in the regional health authorities and community organizations, this funding will be invested in projects to reduce the spread of sexually-transmitted infections, promote good health and improve access to care. We encourage Manitobans to – Respect. Protect. Detect.”The province will use the funding to formally create a Manitoba HIV program and increase investments by $500,000 over two years to improve the management of HIV care, treatment and support.

“Addressing sexual health at the individual, family, community and health system levels needs trained health providers providing integrated care, as well as a legal, policy and regulatory environment where the sexual rights of all people are upheld,” said Dr. Margaret Fast, medical officer of health with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “This investment will help ensure a timely and co-ordinated response to the prevention and early detection and treatment of STIs in Manitoba.”

An additional investment of $300,000 over two years will be used to expand access to STI testing services by increasing operating hours, expanding service locations in high-demand areas and introducing new testing options including anonymous and rapid testing for HIV.

In addition, more than $560,000 will be invested in projects that build sexual health awareness and reduce the adverse effects of sexually-transmitted infections including:

· investing up to $110,000 over two years in a coalition of community-based organizations working to address HIV/AIDS within Manitoba’s immigrant and refugee communities for the promotion of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support, and improved sexual health;
· providing up to $100,000 to help develop culturally-sensitive and appropriate resources for Aboriginal youth to build awareness of good sexual health practices;
· providing funding of up to $270,000 to address sexual health promotion within the province’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirit and transgender communities; and
· investing $80,000 to develop general public awareness around sexual health promotion with a specific focus on youth.

“These investments, and the leadership shown by the province, provide an opportunity for the Manitoba HIV program and our community partners to move beyond reaction towards a planned and proactive response to the prevention, care, treatment and support of Manitoban’s living with and at risk for HIV,” said Mike Payne, executive director of Nine Circles Community Health Centre.

The province will also create an advisory group to collect and share evidence, information and knowledge to guide current work and help identify priorities for the future. The new Minister’s Advisory Committee on Sexual Health will be made up of community-based care providers,
health-care practitioners, people living with HIV/AIDS and representatives from at-risk populations.

“If and when people choose to become sexually active, good sexual health is an important part of overall health and well-being,” said Irvin-Ross. “Today’s investments will provide additional resources to our community partners, helping health-care providers around the province treat Manitobans who need care and provide advice on good sexual health. Remember – Respect. Protect. Detect.”

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