By Angela Hill

More testing shows many HIV cases

May 18, 2011 | 6:18 AM

Parts of north, central Saskatchewan are seeing a rise of cases of HIV after ramping up testing for the virus.

Since January, at least one small, northern community within the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region boundaries has begun testing about five to 10 people per week, for HIV.

“It varies from week to week, but we are receiving positive results on a weekly basis, pretty much,” said a nurse practitioner working in the community.

“I can tell you we’ve probably gone up 400 per cent in our positives, at least.”

The testing began after there were some referrals to the health clinic that required following up.

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“Our testing (is something) we’ve always tried to do, but it’s been since January of this year since we’ve ramped up our effort,” she said.

Increased availability of testing equipment and the dedication of the staff is making the increased testing, possible.

“Very dedicated staff … pursued testing so that led to more positives and more positives identified more contacts and we just continued on follow them.”

While the number of HIV cases is increasing, they actually signal a positive change to health officials.

“Even though we are seeing so many, it gives you hope that people are actually talking about it,” said Dr. Moira McKinnon, chief medical health officer for the Ministry of Health.

On the ground in Prince Albert, Dr. Leo Lanoie, a physician who works with HIV and Hepatitis C patients, also sees the positive in knowing the numbers.

“We’re seeing a lot of new cases in that area and that’s a good thing because there were obviously a lot of undiagnosed cases that now know they have an issue,” he said.

When people know they are HIV positive, they can access treatment and supports, because HIV is a treatable disease, Lanoie said.

“They are pointed towards health care providers that can assess their needs as HIV positive patients,” he said.

“There is quite a bit of treatment available. Many people who have HIV in this province have intravenous drug abuse problems, so the first thing you have to do is point them towards a place … to help them with their addiction.”

One of the purposes of the province’s new HIV strategy was increased testing. The ministry did anticipate a rise in cases, McKinnon said.

“We’re sorry that it is actually eventuating, but we’re prepared for it,” she said.

There are some plans already in place, but other areas such as the community engagement piece still need to be made stronger, McKinnon said.

“I think what’s happened is we didn’t quite (expect) a quick, sharp rise like this,” she said.

In the communities where there more HIV positive people, officials are working to increase general knowledge of HIV, while decreasing the stigmatization and demonization of the diagnosis.

ahill@panow.com