2023-11-04 19:33:57
A project to improve access to sexual health services is getting underway in Newfoundland and Labrador thanks to $2 million in federal funding.
The objective of the project, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, a Canadian government agency responsible for investing in health research, is to quickly offer local services in pharmacies.
Debbie Kelly, Doctor of Pharmacy and Director of the School of Pharmacy at Memorial University of Newfoundland, led this project.
She explains that the idea is to collect data on the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne infections (STIs). We then want to transform the fruits of this research into concrete and beneficial changes in the health system.
Open in full screen mode
Researcher Debbie Kelly is a Doctor of Pharmacy and Director of the School of Pharmacy at Memorial University. (Archive photo)
Photo : CBC / Mark Quinn
Although the system’s capacity to provide necessary sexual health services is limited, Debbie Kelly believes that prevention of sexually transmitted infections can be improved.
Open in full screen mode
A rapid syphilis and HIV test used in Edmonton in spring 2022.
Photo : CBC / Julia Wong
If the person needs treatment, pharmacists will be able to offer it without delay.
This is especially important, says Debbie Kelly, because symptoms of certain infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea can sometimes take a few weeks or months to appear, a period during which these diseases are communicable.
The new project will also make it possible to take into account the specific needs of communities and measure the prevalence of different infections.
Debbie Kelly indicates that communication with pharmacies will be essential to understand how these new tasks can fit into their workload without it becoming a burden.
According to information from Arlette Lazarenko of CBC
1699126961
#million #funding #sexual #health #services #pharmacies
