A Prince George pilot project aimed at stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS will be expanded to include the entire province.
Seek and Treat for Optimal Prevention of HIV/AIDS was piloted in both Prince George and Vancouver and has been given the green light to expand to the rest of the province.
"For the north, we did a lot of outreach beyond the boundaries of Prince George all along in the project," said Ulrich. "So it's really about expanding those discussions and the work that we've done with our staff across the north."
The project aims to reduce the number of new infections in the province, improve the quality, effectiveness and reach of prevention programs, diagnose people earlier and improve the quality of services available to people living with HIV or at risk of contracting the virus.
"The intent is to make sure there's a connectivity between what's provided in communities like Dawson Creek, Terrace, et cetera, and the more specialized services that have developed in Prince George and then in turn with the Centre for Excellence in Vancouver," Ulrich added.
Among the tools the program will use is a targeted media campaign, developing non-traditional testing options and supporting education for vulnerable groups including seniors and people living in mental health community group homes.
Aboriginal health will be a primary focus as the men's health program enters its third year.
This year, Northern Health is looking to develop "a comprehensive network of Aboriginal men
to address issues in their communities." The health authority also wants to implement recommendations for a report that looked specifically at the health challenges facing Aboriginal men.
Launched in 2011, the men's health initiative aims to encourage men to be more proactive about their health and has used innovative online tools to spread the word. It has also produced printed material, a television documentary and staffed booths at community events to get its message out.
Northern Health is exploring the possibility of selling the old hospital in Fort St. John. A new facility opened last year, making the existing hospital surplus. A real estate advisor has been hired and Shared Services B.C. will lead the sale process, which could include just selling the land or the property and building combined.
Two Northern Health parking lot projects in Dawson Creek have been put on hold because the bids came in over budget. Upgrades to the public and staff parking lots are behind schedule and further meetings with the provincial health ministry are required to discuss the future of the project.
