A new pilot project hopes to help end HIV in Canada long-term by removing barriers to getting tested that several at-risk communities face, and it all starts with a tiny take-home kit now being distributed by community groups. Community groups received 50,000 HIV self-test kits to distribute, with some of those landing at seven Manitoba sites in The Pas, Brandon and Winnipeg. HIV self-test kits have been available to the public in the U.S. and U.K. for several years, but they were only legalized in Canada last fall thanks to research by Dr. Sean Rourke and others. "There's a huge public health benefit, so if we want to reduce HIV in Canada, we have to reach those people who are undiagnosed [and] help them to get connected to care," Rourke said. Participating partners in Manitoba:Blake Garden Resource CentreGilbert Park Resource CentreNine Circles Community Health CentreNorWest on Alexander (NOA) Resource CentreSexuality Education Resource Centre – Brandon OfficeThe John Howard Society of BrandonThe Pas Committee for Women in Crisis

Source: CBC News June 14, 2021 09:56 UTC