Health Canada funds HIV/AIDS project

The Honourable Jacques Saada, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister responsible for Democratic Reform, and Mr. Guy St-Julien, M.P. for Abitibi-Baie-James-Nunavik, announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Pierre Pettigrew, Minister of Health, a contribution of $95,000 over two years to le Centre d'amitié autochtone de Val d'Or for an HIV/AIDS prevention program.

In Canada, it is estimated that every day one Aboriginal person becomes infected with HIV/AIDS. Partners in this project include le Centre de Santé Vallée-de-l'Or, la Régie Régionale de la santé et des services sociaux de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue, le Service de Santé Kitcisasik, le Service de Santé Lac Simon, La clinique régionale VIH/sida and staff from MRC de la Vallée-de-l'Or.

The objectives of the project are: to increase awareness of the Aboriginal population of the resources and services for HIV/AIDS in the area, to increase awareness of risk behaviours, and to increase the number of Aboriginal people who have healthy lifestyles related to HIV/AIDS.

"This is two-year project will increase awareness of HIV/AIDS related services to Aboriginals throughout Val-d'Or," said Minister Saada. "It is designed to enhance the visibility and access to resources available to Aboriginal peoples infected with HIV/AIDS, and will feature HIV/AIDS prevention education to help stem the spread infections in the area."

"The project will provide culturally sensitive education," said Mr. St-Julien. "It will also help develop strategies that respond to the needs of Aboriginals living with HIV/AIDS, their families and communities."

"Canada has a collaborative approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS, which is carried out in partnership with other levels of government, non-governmental organizations and community organizations," said Minister Pettigrew. "This project is another example of how this integrated approach will help people infected with or at risk of HIV/AIDS."

The Government of Canada funding was provided to le Centre d'amitié autochtone de Val-d'Or under the Canadian Strategy for HIV/AIDS (CSHA). Since 1998, the Strategy has been providing stable, ongoing funding of $42.2 million annually to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Canada. The Strategy's goals are:

• to prevent the spread of HIV infection in Canada;
• to find a cure;
• to find and provide effective vaccines, drugs and therapies;
• to ensure care, treatment and support for Canadians living with HIV/AIDS, and for families, friends, and caregivers;
• to minimize the adverse impact of HIV/AIDS on individuals and communities; and,
• to minimize the impact of social and economic factors that increase individual and collective risk of HIV infection.

Of CSHA resources, $3.4 million is specifically targeted to Aboriginal communities. In addition, the Federal Government contributes $2.5 million for on-reserve HIV/AIDS programs administered by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch.

There are now more than 42 million people living with HIV/AIDS around the world, and over 3 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2002. In Canada, about 4,000 people become infected with HIV despite prevention efforts.