HIV Efforts | A motion adopted to straighten out Quebec

Admitting that Quebec has “deviated a little from its trajectory” in terms of the fight against HIV, Quebec solidaire (QS) MP Vincent Marissal presented a joint motion which was adopted in the National Assembly on Friday in order to recognize the importance of prioritizing the fight against HIV and other STBBIs and the need to improve access to screening and treatment.

At a press conference, Mr. Marissal argued that the increase in new HIV diagnoses is worrying. “Every year we make somewhat the same observations and these years, unfortunately, we have made a rather serious observation that the situation is not improving, on the contrary, we are detecting more and more cases,” declared the holder. -QS health voice.

The motion reports a 37% increase in cases between 2019 and 2022 and that the upward trend is confirmed in the 2023 estimates.

“We were on the right trajectory, we deviated a little, we recognize it, we correct this trajectory. We must, we can do much better, we have a duty to do much better in Quebec. […] I will certainly follow up to ensure that we are able to resume the role we had as a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” promised Mr. Marissal.

The Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, said in the House that we should not deny the fact that there is an increase in cases of sexually transmitted infections. “We thought it was in decline. And it’s like another virus, it often smolders underneath, and, unfortunately, we have perhaps given up a little,” he admitted.

The motion also welcomes “the government’s desire to improve the screening offer and to evaluate the possibility of allowing rapid screening by community workers.” The elected officials also observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of AIDS.

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