Call Made For Immediate HIV/AIDS Prevention Funds

Call Made For Immediate HIV/AIDS Prevention Funds

Monday, November 16, 2009 at 14:47

 

 

Unless the AIDS epidemic in Canada is addressed — it’s going to get worse.

 

That was one of the messages LaVerne Monette had at the All Nations Hope AIDS Network’s 3rd Annual Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Conference in Regina today.

 

Monette is with a provincial AIDS service organization in Ontario and was a keynote speaker at the conference.

 

Monette says data shows that since 2007, the province has seen a 40 per cent increase in HIV cases.

 

She says that number could get higher unless something is done about it immediately, including increased resources for education and prevention.

 

Monette says it’s not going to stop as long people say that injection drug users are the only ones at risk, and dismiss the warnings about having sex without a condom.

 

Monette also says Aboriginal people represent a disproportionate number of the HIV/AIDS cases.

 

She says poverty, colonization and no access to good health care are some reasons why.

 

Monette says more resources for aboriginal people with HIV/AIDs are needed.

 

The conference continues today and tomorrow.