Junor & Hickie World AIDS Day speeches in the Legislature

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Eastview.

World AIDS Day

Ms. Junor: — Mr. Speaker, the first international AIDS [acquired immune deficiency syndrome] Day was on December 1st, 1988. Twenty-one years later, 33.4 million people are living with HIV [human immunodeficiency virus], including 2.1 million children. Half the people who become infected do so before they are 25, and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention, and care, recognizing these as fundamental human rights.

Global leaders have given the pledge, translating this commitment into action at the local level. Action taken here in Saskatchewan means supporting programs that have proven successful, like the needle exchange program. Such programs answer the international call to fundamental human rights.

In Saskatchewan there were 174 new cases diagnosed in 2008, a 40 per cent increase in one year, a rise equal to a new case of HIV being diagnosed every two days. The Sask Party government’s response to these numbers is to limit the needle exchange program, a program their own study determined was functional and in need of expansion.

In many African countries, people die of AIDS needlessly because their cultures deny basic protections from the disease. Fear and taboo play a large part in hindering proper treatment and programs. How is Saskatchewan different if they choose ideology over evidence?

Our focus must be on research and implementing models that will save lives. We have a choice. We can do what works or hang on tenaciously to ideology that doesn’t. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Prince Albert Carlton.

Mr. Hickie: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Fellow members of the Assembly, today, December 1st, is World AIDS Day. Today more people than ever before have HIV and new infections occur each year. Thirty-three million people live with HIV worldwide. In Saskatchewan last year there were more than 170 new cases of HIV.

Mr. Speaker, in recognition of World AIDS Day, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health today announced a new HIV initiative — HIV point of care testing. HIV point of care testing is a new priority for the HIV program in Saskatchewan that will help with prevention, education, treatment, and support services for those affected.

Mr. Speaker, approximately 25 per cent of those infected with HIV are unaware of their infection. HIV point of care testing will help individuals at risk to access testing in a timely manner. This in turn will allow opportunities for follow-up care and education and, most importantly, help reduce the rates of transmission, especially to newborn babies.

The Ministry of Health will continue to work on strategies to ensure more people have access to HIV testing and are aware of their HIV status so they can receive treatment and prevent transmission to others. As members of this Assembly, we can contribute by supporting initiatives that raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.

Mr. Speaker, fellow members, please join me in officially recognizing the World AIDS Day. Thank you.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Prince Albert Northcote.