‘See people, not the virus’: HIV Edmonton aims to end stigma on World Aids Day

HIV self-test kits, photographed at the Toronto People With Aids Foundation office, in Toronto, Friday, Feb., 16, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)

HIV Edmonton hosted an open house with free testing to encourage people to know their status on World Aids Day.

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“We want people to get tested because the numbers are increasing,” said Ft Adepeko, executive director of The Ribbon Rouge Foundation.

“When I say numbers, these are human beings like you and I who are living with and are affected by HIV and AIDS.”

Adepeko says the day is an opportunity for people to learn about the virus, their status and to end the stigma.

In 2024, there were 1,826 new HIV diagnoses in Canada, excluding Quebec, according to data from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Those numbers mark a small decline in the national rate.

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Between 2022 and 2023, there was a 73 per cent increase in new people diagnosed with HIV in Alberta, Adepeko said.

“There are people who aren’t even aware of how HIV spreads and so they keep exposing themselves to risk and that’s increasing the numbers as well,” Adepeko said.

She recommends people come to HIV Edmonton where they can get resources of where they can be referred to get tested anonymously.

“That way people can come in, they don’t have to give their name and that makes it easier for people to access those things.”