HIV POINT OF CARE TESTING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE SOON

Released on December 1, 2009

In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, the Ministry of Health today announced a new HIV initiative to enable rapid testing for high risk individuals.

"Increased testing efforts and efforts to reduce the stigma against people living with HIV/AIDS needs to be address in Saskatchewan," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "This new initiative creates opportunities for people to become aware of their HIV status in a more timely way and then access important follow up care and support."

"HIV point of care testing is a new priority for HIV programming in Saskatchewan aimed at prevention, education, treatment and support services for those affected," Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Moira McKinnon said.

An HIV point of care test is performed outside of a clinical laboratory and is intended as a screening tool for patients at high risk for HIV. A point of care test cuts down on the time it takes for individuals to receive test results which reduces patient anxiety; and wil reduce the number of clients who do not return for their test results and could be lost to follow up. All test results are considered preliminary and further testing is required to confirm these results.

Pre and post-test counselling are also offered as part of the HIV point of care testing, which includes information about this testing method, the opportunity to discuss the implications of the result and HIV prevention and risk reduction strategies.

The rapid turnaround time associated with the use of HIV point of care testing can guide urgent decision making and will benefit the following groups in particular:

• Pregnant women near term or in labour who have not had a previous HIV test, or have not had a recent test and are at risk for HIV;
• People who have been exposed to the blood or body fluids of another person who is at risk for HIV or whose HIV status is unknown;
• Acutely ill patients who would be treated with different medications if HIV positive; and
• Individuals who are at high risk for HIV who are accessing care at qualified community clinics.

"The Ministry of Health will continue to work on various strategies to ensure more people have access to HIV testing and are aware of their HIV status so they can prevent transmission to others," McKinnon said. "This testing would be especially beneficial in preventing transmission to newborns."

HIV point of care testing is a pilot program that will be implemented in select locations in Saskatchewan beginning early in 2010.

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For more information, contact:

Karen Hill
Health
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2743