(Montreal) The federal government will distribute HIV self-tests to various community organizations, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced on Monday.
Posted at 2:34 p.m.
Updated at 5:01 p.m.
This project responds to criticism from organizations about the cost of self-testing. At the start of the International AIDS Conference at the Palais des Congrès, Cocq-Sida CEO Ken Monteith lamented that these self-tests cost $35 and that their approval did not come until 2020, eight years later. United States. Mr. Monteith took part in Minister Duclos’ press conference today.
“Although this is an important step for many people affected by HIV, we are aware that there is still much to do,” said Minister Duclos.
Self-tests will be donated to organizations serving Indigenous, Black, LGBTQ2, and drug users, among others. A sum of eight million is dedicated to this project.
Another $9.9 million was announced by Minister Duclos to improve community HIV testing in isolated communities, particularly in the Arctic. Of this amount, $1.2 million will be allocated to health organizations in the West to detect STIs, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in Aboriginal communities.