HIV self-testing kits available in Manitoba
There are nearly 1,300 Manitobans living with HIV, and Nine Circles Community Health Centre anticipates 20 per cent of people living with HIV are undiagnosed.
"People can live well and live productively with HIV. Your greatest risk is not knowing your status and not being able to manage your health effectively," said Mike Payne, executive director of Nine Circles.
I'm Ready to Know, a national research program, is reaching undiagnosed people by offering free HIV self-testing kits. The program emphasizes providing low-barrier access to testing.
Payne said barriers existing in Manitoba range from discrimination, including racism and homophobia, to limited access to clinics.
I'm Ready to Know allows people to order free kits through a mobile app. The kits are mailed directly to the individual or available for pick up at locations like Nine Circles.
Payne added people at risk of HIV infection might not be comfortable visiting a doctor or test site.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for folks to engage in testing in a way that's fully in their control," Payne said.
The app provides users with testing support and connections to HIV care. It also helps researchers learn how to improve HIV testing and care in Canada.
Dr. Sean Rourke, the program's lead scientist, said Canada's health care system works "80 to 90 percent of the time" in getting people connected to HIV care.
"But there are people undiagnosed who aren't getting tested," Rourke explained. "And there are people diagnosed who aren't getting treatment."
Rourke said the testing is a step towards ending the HIV pandemic in Canada.
"[If we're] able to engage those people, support them, get them on treatment, and get them in care, we'd help them actually live almost normal lifespans," Rourke said.
I'm Ready to Know is distributing 50,000 test kits across Canada. More information can be found on its website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.