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Increase in cases of STBBIs and HIV among migrants, according to doctor Réjean Thomas. PHOTO : Getty Images / South_agency

Clinique l’Actuel offers screening and treatment services for STBBIs and HIV. Réjean Thomas, a doctor specializing in HIV, as well as Jonathan Bacon, operations coordinator for the clinic, explain the sharp increase in refugees within their establishment.

« Now there are new patients [réfugiés et demandeurs d’asile] every week. The important thing is to get people on treatment as quickly as possible. »

— A quote from

Réjean Thomas, doctor specializing in HIV and founder of the Clinique médicale l’Actuel.

Doctor Réjean Thomas with on his left Jonathan Bacon, coordinator of operations for the L'Actuel clinic on an interior balcony of the Nouvelle maison de Radio-Canada.

It would seem difficult for migrants to have access to treatment for HIV and STBBIs.

Radio-Canada / Martin Blais

There are significant financial challenges related to accessibility to health care, according to the two specialists. Indeed, very few refugees and asylum seekers have a health insurance card, they deplore.

Refugees are forced in most cases to take expensive blood tests when one is uninsured. The players in the field, however, want a real change in this direction:

« Improve access [aux soins de] health for those seeking asylum means improving it for everyone. »

— A quote from

Jonathan Bacon, Coordinator of Operations, Interventions and Community Partnerships at Clinique l’Actuel.