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TuesDAY, AuGusT 19, 2014
VOl. 26, NO. 28
Pilot program aims to improve access to testing for HIV By Tamara Cunningham The News bulleTiN
know and the genetic background of the animal,” said Barnett. “The interest of that is more than it used to be, 25 to 30 years ago when it was farmers competing against each other and my [animals’] genetics may be more superior than your genetics, so that has changed,” she said. While VIEX has been around for 120 years, 4-H in B.C. is celebrating its centennial and it is fitting the two anniversaries coincide, given the Cedar club has been a long-time draw at the Nanaimo fair. The 4-H organization aims to develop youth and Cedar district includes Gabriola Island. For more photos from VIEX, please visit www.nanaimobulletin.com.
A Nanaimo pharmacy is the first on Vancouver Island to dispense free HIV tests as part of a year-long pilot program. Island Health announced Monday that the Nanaimo Medicine Shoppe at Terminal Park mall will begin offering free, instant HIV tests to customers this week as part of a push to improve access to testing. It’s the third pharmacy to offer the new service, following two in the Lower Mainland. Victoria will also start HIV testing at the end of the month. The test results take less than five minutes to deliver and anyone with non-negative results are referred to a local medical clinic to confirm the diagnosis. Until now most people had to see a physician or nurse to get the test, which can be difficult if they don’t have good access to health services, says Dr. Dee Hoyano, medical health officer for Island Health, who adds that if this works she sees it as a very good way to increase how HIV testing gets done in communities. “If we’re going to get zero new HIV infections on Vancouver Island people have to know if they are infected and follow up with a lifesaving treatment,” she said, in a press release. Island Health statistics show the estimated HIV testing rate in 2013 for central Vancouver Island was 3,420 tests per 100,000 population and there were 11 new cases. It also estimated last year that 221 people in the central Island are living with HIV. Elijah Ssemaluulu, pharmacist and owner of Nanaimo Medicine Shoppe, said the tests will give people a chance to know if they are negative or non-negative for HIV and they can schedule an appointment that’s convenient. “There’s nothing as good as knowing who you are, knowing how healthy you are,” he said. Island Health is looking to see 600 tests in Nanaimo over the next 12 months and will be evaluating diagnoses, cost effectiveness and quality of care.
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Linda Barnett, Cedar 4-H barnyard supervisor and treasurer, said the club has been a long-time exhibitor at viEX. she said she has seen changes in the agricultural fair, which celebrated its 120th anniversary this year. KARL YU The News BULLeTiN
Fewer farms change agricultural fair
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visitors ask breeders more questions about animals’ heritage at fair. By Karl yu The News bulleTiN
The Cedar 4-H has been part of the Vancouver Island Exhibition country fair for at least 70 years and according to the club’s treasurer, the focus of the fair has changed. Linda Barnett, Cedar club treasurer and Beban Park 4-H barnyard supervisor, has participated in fairs dating back to 1988 and said there isn’t as much focus on agriculture as there once was.
“There’s more entertainment now, there’s less farms in the area, unfortunately, so the farmer competitions aren’t as intense as it used to be. 4-H is a large component of the fair now for the [animal] interaction with the public and the public asking questions, having hands-on,” Barnett said. At this year’s fair, the 4-H had its barnyard with numerous animals, and in the past, members would bring animals, put them in a pen and people would walk by and members would give name and breed, Barnett said. Barnyard information is much more detailed now. “Nowadays, they want to know the history of what the breed is, where it originated, what its purpose is, they want every step of the process to
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