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“Canadian Government Allocates $14.5 Million to Address STBBI”
“Canadian Government Announcement: Funding Allocation for STBBI”
Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, visited the Nine Circles Community Health Centre and announced a substantial investment of $14.5 million through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund (CAF) and the Harm Reduction Fund (HRF) for 15 projects focused on addressing HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) in the Prairie region.
The alarming prevalence of STBBI among Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, and other equity-deserving communities is a significant public health concern in Canada. This investment includes over $10.7 million for 10 community-based interventions and over $3.7 million to support 5 projects aimed at reducing HIV and hepatitis C among people who share injection and inhalation drug-use equipment.
The Government of Canada is dedicated to collaborating with community-based organizations, Indigenous partners, provinces, territories, researchers, as well as public and health sectors to prevent new infections and achieve the global goal of ending HIV, hepatitis C, and other STBBI as public health concerns.
“The contributions of community-based organizations like Nine Circles Community Health Centre are central to improving the health of people in Canada and our ability to reach global targets of ending STBBI as public health concerns by 2030. The funding announced today supports projects that will engage with people living with HIV, hepatitis C, and other STBBI, as well as those at risk of infection, in order to help communities meet their prevention, testing, treatment, and support needs,” stated the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health.
The Honourable Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Associate Minister of Health added, “The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the contributions of community-based organizations to improve the health of people in Canada, and to help those disproportionally affected by key populations known to be more adversely affected by STBBI such as people who use drugs.”
The injection of funding is designed to reduce stigma, increase access to testing and care, and promote effective prevention measures in a culturally safe environment.
In quick facts, the Government of Canada previously invested $106.4 million for STBBI across the country, allocating funds for specific programs such as the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS and the Hepatitis C Prevention, Support, and Research Program.
Efforts to address STBBI in Canada are guided by the Pan-Canadian Framework for Action on STBBI and the Government of Canada Five Year Action Plan on STBBI.
This announcement signifies the ongoing commitment of the Canadian government to addressing public health concerns surrounding HIV, hepatitis C, and other STBBI. The continued support and allocation of funds to community-based organizations demonstrate a collective effort to provide necessary resources and care for those impacted by these infections.
In conclusion, the allocation of $14.5 million is a step in the right direction in addressing the prevalence of STBBI in Canada. The government’s collaborative approach with community-based organizations, Indigenous partners, provinces, and territories signifies a promising effort to provide effective prevention measures and resources to those disproportionately affected by these infections.
The funding is not only a financial investment but an investment in the health and well-being of individuals and communities across the country. As the government continues to work towards achieving global targets of ending STBBI as public health concerns by 2030, this announcement serves as a testament to their ongoing dedication to public health and well-being.
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