The rates of HIV infections in Saskatchewan are on the rise, but a new outreach centre in the area hopes to help curb the spread. The 601 East outreach centre, a partnership with AIDS Saskatoon, recently opened its doors in the city.
The goals of the centre, explains Nicole White of AIDS Saskatoon, is to help stop spread of HIV in Yorkton before it starts. Through education and outreach programs, the centre hopes to help people understand and prevent the spread of the disease.
"What's really exciting about what's going on in Yorkton is that it's proactive. Your HIV rates are very low right now, so it's wonderful to get the education and prevention information to the community so we can we can try to curb those HIV rates before they come to Yorkton," White says.
The centre is being opened at at time when HIV is on the rise in Saskatchewan, with the rates being especially high among young aboriginal women.
"It's not a big city problem, there are people who are HIV positive in every single health region in the province and we've seen our HIV rates triple in the last three years, so that's a huge concern. It's double the national average," White notes.
For HIV patients in the area, the outreach centre is a place to learn how to live with the disease. It also gives them support and guidance, especially if they are uncomfortable sharing their status with family and friends.
"There is a huge amount of stigma and discrimination around HIV, and a lot of people don't take the time to educate themselves.
"They just have moralistic judgements about people with HIV, and that doesn't help anything.
"What we need to do is to support people with compassion, empathy, and listen to their needs," White emphasizes.
AIDS Saskatoon is an early partner in the project, and the goal is to use their expertise and the lessons learned since they began to help the Yorkton centre get going, White explains. The hope is to eventually have the centre locally run.
The 601 East outreach centre will be located in the SIGN building on Broadway. People interested in more information can call 783-1722 or email [email protected].
