The new partnership provides a new care hub model as Canada works to meet global commitments in the fight against HIV...
In 2023, Canada saw a 35 per cent increase of new HIV diagnoses compared to 2022. These numbers come as cases continue to decrease globally.
The proportion of new HIV diagnoses in gay adult men has declined in the country. This is largely due to innovative breakthroughs such as daily PrEP and a new bi-monthly injectable, called Apretude. However, work is still needed if Canada wants to meet its global HIV commitments.
Now, Freddie, Canada’s top provider of HIV prevention services, and the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation (PWA), a support service agency for people living with HIV, are combining their strengths to expand HIV services. They announced a partnership to deliver a new care pathway covering treatment, prevention (PrEP, DoxyPEP) and other supports.
According to a press release, the collaboration introduces a care hub model combining public, private, and non-profit expertise. The model provides access to “fully integrated virtual and in-person HIV care, delivered by specialists in a trusted community setting.”
This access comes as the Canadian healthcare system faces immense pressure and increased wait times. Medimap’s Walk-In Clinic Index reported that in 2023 the average national wait time was about 68 minutes. Wait times are one factor as to why people may not seek care. Others include stigma, fear of disclosure and financial barriers.
“Freddie was founded on the belief that everyone deserves safe, fast, and stigma-free access to HIV prevention and care,” Dr. Caley Shukalek, Chief Medical Officer of Freddie said in a press release. “This partnership with PWA builds on that vision, combining PWA’s deep roots in the community with our care infrastructure to break down barriers to treatment and improve health outcomes.”
The partnership comes as Canada faces several fast approaching global deadlines. This year it is working to meet its 95-95-95 targets. These targets state that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed are on treatment and 95 per cent of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load. It is also supporting the global goal of ending HIV and AIDS as a public health concern by 2030.
Founded in 2020, Freedie has helped prevent over 850 cases of HIV and served over 40,000 patients. PWA, founded in 1987, is Toronto’s largest support service agency for people living with HIV. It delivers peer-driven and client centred programming.
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