Quebec – During a visit to Projet L.U.N.E., Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced $18.1 million through the HIV and Hepatitis C Community Action Fund (CAF) and the Harm Reduction Fund (HRF) for 23 projects to support the work of community-based organizations addressing HIV, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI). STBBI are preventable, treatable and in many cases curable. However, these infections remain a significant public health concern in Canada and around the world.
The CAF supports community-based interventions to address HIV, hepatitis C, and other STBBI, among key populations disproportionately affected by these infections. Today’s funding includes over $14.5 million through the CAF, which will support 17 community-based interventions to address HIV, hepatitis C, and other STBBI. One organization receiving funding is Centre Associatif Polyvalent d’Aide hépatite C for their project, DÉSIRS (Dépister, Éduquer, Sensibiliser, Informer pour Réduire la Stigmatisation). This project will improve services related to the prevention of HIV, hepatitis C and STBBI in Montréal, Quebec through training and discussions while being mindful of inclusiveness, including of Trans and non-binary realities.
This announcement also includes over $3.5 million through the HRF which will support five projects to help reduce HIV and hepatitis C among people who share injection and inhalation drug-use equipment. Projet L.U.N.E. is one organization receiving funding under the HRF for their project, Accompagnement des femmes par les paires en prévention ITSS (Peer supported STI prevention for women). This peer-led project in Quebec City, Quebec, will strengthen the capacity of marginalized women, and/or women who are current/former sex workers who use substances, to equip them with the knowledge and skills to prevent STBBI. The project will offer various training opportunities to encourage the uptake of screening, testing, treatment, and support resources.
The Government of Canada is committed to working with and supporting community-based organizations, Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, researchers, public health and the health sector to prevent new infections and support the global goal of ending HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBI as public health concerns by 2030.
“Community-based organizations like Projet L.U.N.E and Centre Associatif Polyvalent d’Aide hépatite C are critical in increasing the knowledge of effective evidence-based HIV, hepatitis C and STBBI prevention measures. The funding announced today supports projects that will engage with people living with HIV, hepatitis C and other STBBI, as well as those at risk of infection, to help communities meet their prevention needs, as well as their testing, treatment, and support needs. Through this, we are taking another step to reaching our global targets by 2030.” – Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health