Steps are being taken by the Saskatchewan Health Authority to tackle the HIV outbreak that has grappled the North Battleford area this year.
Dr. Mandiangu Nsungu, medical health officer for the Lloydminster/North Battleford region says an outbreak response team made up of a number of SHA health professionals from across the province are working on ways to address the HIV outbreak that has seen 23 new cases since the beginning of the year in North Battleford and its surrounding area.
Dr. Nsungu adds the addition of a vending machine which provides free drug-use supplies is another way the health authority is cracking down on the outbreak.
The vending machine is located at the Battleford Indian and Metis Friendship Centre. Those looking to use the vending machine have to obtain tokens from a local service including the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre. 80 per cent of the new cases are linked to drug use says Dr. Nsungu.
On average from 2013 to 2018, there has been an average of four new cases a year in the North Battleford area.