Nova Scotians Asked for Input on HIV/AIDS Strategy

A series of public consultations will begin next week as Nova Scotia's HIV/AIDS Strategy Steering Committee looks for input on renewing a provincial strategy.

The steering committee was created to develop and oversee the consultation process, review submissions and draft the new strategy. Government, AIDS related community-based organizations, persons living with HIV/AIDS, primary care physicians and regional health boards are represented on the committee.

The Department of Health announced plans to renew the HIV/AIDS strategy in December of 1997, and acknowledged the importance of public input. Over the past year, staff from the department and representatives of the AIDS community have been working together to build a process that will help ensure the new strategy is co-ordinated and community-based.

"We are strongly encouraging broad community participation in the consultations to ensure that the HIV/AIDS strategy will be meaningful to all Nova Scotians," said Health Minister Jim Smith. "These public meetings will help open the lines of discussion and create opportunities where different perspectives and experiences can be heard."

Dr. William Hart, chairman of the Nova Scotia Advisory Commission on AIDS, agrees this team approach is vital. He was part of the group responsible for creating Nova Scotia's first HIV/AIDS strategy and feels it is time to improve existing work.

"As we reach the end of the second decade of AIDS, it's time to join our partners in reviewing the priorities set in the early
90s," said Dr. Hart.

Jane Allen of the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia is also pleased to see the consultations moving forward.

"The renewed strategy will help us continue our emphasis on prevention initiatives," Ms. Allan said. "It will also reflect the co-operative relationship between government, the advisory commission, AIDS-related community organizations such as ours, and Nova Scotians concerned about the serious affects of AIDS on individuals and their families."

Those unable to attend one of the public meetings are welcome to submit their ideas in a written brief to the Nova Scotia Advisory Commission on AIDS.

Public Consultations on Provincial HIV/AIDS Strategy Renewal

Eastern Region:

• June 3-4, Public Health Services, 235 Townsend St., second floor, Sydney. Call Ron Navarole at 902-567-1766 for times.

Central Region:

• June 11, Captain William Spry Centre, 10 Kidston Rd., Spryfield, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Rosanne LeBlanc, 902-424-5730.
• June 28, Dartmouth General Hospital, classrooms one and two, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Rosanne LeBlanc, 902-424-5730.
• June 29, AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia, 1567 Barrington St., Suite 321, Halifax, 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Wilson Hodder of Persons Living with AIDS, 902-425-4882.

Western Region:

• June 14, Bluenose Room, Yarmouth Regional Health Centre, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Susan Coulter, 902-825-3385, ext. 354.
• June 15, Nova Scotia Community College, Middleton Campus, 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Susan Coulter, 902-825-3385, ext. 354.

Northern Region:

• June 23, Nova Scotia Community College, Health and Wellness Centre on Arthur Street in Truro. Call Al McNutt at 902-895-1533 for times.
• June 24, Department of Health, 18 South Albion St., Amherst. Call Al McNutt at 902-895-1533 for times.

Additional sessions may be added to the schedule. For more information, call 902-424-5730.