Registered nurses take action on HIV/AIDS by producing documentary

Registered nurses take action on HIV/AIDS by producing documentary

Source: Pamela Cowan, Regina Leader-Post Published on: April 26, 2018 

‘We know that there is an epidemic of HIV — probably one of the largest epidemics there’s been in Saskatchewan in quite some time.’

Tracy Zambory, president of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, says registered nurses want to use their voices to bring the HIV crisis to the forefront of health-care discussions. Don Healy / Regina Leader-Post
Responding to a growing epidemic in the province in a non-traditional way, registered nurses have produced a documentary entitled On the Frontlines of the HIV Crisis.
“We know that there is an epidemic of HIV — probably one of the largest epidemics there’s been in Saskatchewan in quite some time,” SUN president Tracy Zambory said in a recent interview. “We are seeing more and more people coming into the system affected, and we felt that it was time to shine a light on this crisis, and who better to do it than registered nurses?

“We’re the ones on the frontlines. We’re the ones who see it happening.”

She noted the staggering new infection rates in Saskatchewan are more than twice the national average and in 2016, there was an 800-per-cent increase in the most severely hit areas of the province.

The documentary features the work of registered nurses Debbie Rodger and Susanne Nicolay, Dr. Megan Clark and HIV peer support workers, Gloria Tremblay and Danita Wahpoosewyan — all making a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Saskatchewan.
“Danita wanted to be part of the documentary because she wants to be able to help her community to get past the stigma of having HIV and to work on early detection,” Zambory said.

SUN’s president was moved by Tremblay’s powerful message that although she’s in her 70s, because of early intervention and treatment, HIV won’t end her life.

Working in the community and on First Nation reserves, Rodger and Nicolay talk about the importance of being tested for HIV and early intervention.

“If they start on their medication regime, which now is not onerous — it’s one pill a day,” Zambory said. “Dr. Megan Clark talks about how treatment has improved immensely and just by breaking the stigma you can live a full and productive life with the status of HIV.”

The 12-minute documentary premiered to almost 500 delegates attending the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses’ (SUN) annual meeting in Moose Jaw on Thursday morning.

Coinciding with the short film’s release, SUN announced a donation of $53,900, which will be divided equally between AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan (APSS) and AIDS Saskatoon.

The two provincial organizations provide critical services and supports to individuals, families and communities affected by or living with HIV/AIDS.

Read the full story here: http://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/registered-nurses-take-action-on-hiv-aids-by-producing-documentary