New HIV testing project looking to control growing issue

St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon is hoping a new project will help patients know their HIV diagnosis.

The initiative will give anyone who needs bloodwork done in the emergency department the option to get tested for the disease.

Dr. Johnmark Opondo, a medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, said many believed that this was the norm in the past, but medical personnel do need consent from the patient.

“We don’t test unless we tell you,” he said. “I think this is a really good opportunity to make access to testing very easy. All you have to do is say yes to the test.”

In Saskatchewan, the rates of diagnosis of HIV are already 2 1/2 times the national average.

For the SHA, getting control of the issue and facing it head on is key, according to Opondo.

“This is another vehicle to find our cases, get them into care, get them on treatment, and then begin addressing our high rates of HIV transmission,” he said. “I think ultimately we will be able to get to a place where HIV is controlled and manageable.”

The pilot is still in its test stage and will be going through a soft rollout until June 27, when officials hope to fully launch the operation to coincide with National HIV Testing Day.