ST. JOHN’S, NL – The federal government announced $1.15 million over five years from the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund for the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador on Thursday, Dec. 21.
The funding will be used to implement prevention programs through education and social media outreach.
The aim is to reduce the number of new infections among key at-risk populations in the province.
The project will also help build the capacity of health care providers to help people living with HIV or hepatitis C remain in care and experience the full benefits of available treatments.
In a news release, Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said the federal government is committed to eliminating HIV and AIDS as global public health threats.
“The important research and community-based projects like the ones put in place by the AIDS Committee of Newfoundland and Labrador reflect our renewed focus on supporting evidence-based prevention, reducing stigma and discrimination, and increasing access to testing and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections,” she said.
An estimated 65,000 people are living with HIV and AIDS in Canada. There are approximately 2,500 new HIV infections every year.
