Senate calls on federal government to raise funds for HIV as new infectious diseases increase

Toronto-The Senate has adopted a new motion calling on the federal government to raise HIV funding to $ 100 million annually as new infectious diseases continue to grow nationwide.

In 2014, Canada pledged to achieve the three key goals set by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS). Global epidemic..

The goal of UNAIDS 90-90-90 is that by the end of 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV should be aware of their condition and 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV will be treated. You should be receiving and the percentage of people receiving treatment should have an undetectable viral load.

Despite its promise to adhere to these goals, Canada is not yet on track to reach them. Community health advocates and senators are calling on the federal government to raise HIV funding to $ 100 million annually.

The motion adopted by the Senate on December 1 was introduced by Senator Rene Comier, who became independent on World AIDS Day. In addition to increasing funding, Komier’s motion also calls on the federal government to set national goals for HIV / AIDS and assess the cost of implementing a five-year action plan on sexually transmitted and blood infections. I will.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has a major impact on the prevention, access to treatment and continued support of HIV / AIDS patients. You need to act now before facing a setback in the fight against HIV /. . Canadian AIDS. “

according to April Report from Public Health Agency of CanadaThe federal government has paid hundreds of millions of dollars in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on medical research, testing, and efforts to secure vaccines. However, some supporters fear that funding for COVID-19 could have a nasty impact on other aspects of healthcare.

“The funds mobilized to deal with COVID should not come at the expense of already inadequate Canadian HIV response funds,” said Ron Rosens, community health advocate and chairman of the HIV Legal Network. Said in an interview with CTV News. “For the last 13 years, funding has been very dilute and has hindered our response to HIV.”

In June 2019, the House of Commons Standing Committee recommended a $ 100 million annual commitment dedicated to the fight against HIV / AIDS in Canada. However, when the government later announced a five-year action plan on sexually transmitted and blood-borne diseases, the funding was not included.

The federal government is now being asked to reaffirm its commitment to fight HIV / AIDS and guarantee $ 100 million annually in testing and treatment.

“Our concern is that without stable annual funding dedicated to HIV, we would Sustainable Development Goals Canada has promised to meet by 2020, “Rosens says. “These goals have been achieved by other countries, as well as Canada and other countries with much less resources.”

“Canada is really lagging behind in reducing the number of new infections and ensuring that people get the care and support they need,” he added.

In a statement emailed to CTV News, the Canadian Ministry of Health will spend $ 26.4 million annually through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund, and community-based organizations will deal with HIV and hepatitis C. He reiterated that he spends $ 7 million annually on the Harm Reduction Fund to support. C and other sexually transmitted and blood infections.

In the department Progress report This is because the slow progress of the 90-90-90 goal is “the experience of crossing health challenges such as socioeconomic characteristics, health status, emotional aspects such as HIV-related stigma and anxiety, and HIV And treatment remains a barrier to access and compliance with HIV treatment. “

according to 2018 Report by Public Health Agency of Canada, The national HIV infection rate is steadily increasing. In 2018 alone, there were more than 2,500 new cases of HIV in Canada, an increase of 8.2% over the previous year.

Experts say that the prevention of HIV is paramount without vaccines and treatments.

“If we want to avoid new infections in the population, it is imperative to focus on prevention,” Cormier said in a statement to CTV News.ca. [pre-exposure prophylaxis].. This is a prophylactic treatment and, when used correctly, provides about 99% protection. “

The federal government recently reaffirmed its commitment to the country’s universal Pharmacare program in both the King’s speech and its fall economic statement. Cormier states that this is an opportunity to work with states and territories to not only fully cover the cost of HIV / AIDS treatment, but also to cover PrEP and make it accessible from anywhere.

“Prevention also means continuing efforts to develop supervised injection sites and providing financial support to key groups and organizations that are active on a daily basis in the field.”