The Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) applauds the decision by Indigenous Services Canada and the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program to cover Apretude, which provides eligible First Nations and Inuit people across Canada with access to the first long-acting injectable for HIV prevention, and was approved by Health Canada in May 2024. The addition of Apretude into the federal NIHB program provides an important mechanism of access for Indigenous peoples who continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV, and need access to the best available prevention tools.
As an organization that promotes the health and well-being of Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA+ Indigenous peoples across Canada, we are committed to working with our community-based, service provider, and health system partners to help ensure that Indigenous peoples who may benefit from Apertude are informed and connected into appropriate care. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this decision will have on Indigenous communities, especially Two-Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ peoples, who continue to face systemic barriers to care.
url="https://assets.nationbuilder.com/cbrc/pages/4895/attachments/original/1743537231/ViiV-PressRelease-EN.pdf?1743537231
