Patient and public resources

It’s important to know that treatment for people living with HIV in BC is publicly funded by the Ministry of Health’s Drug Treatment Program, so you don’t have to worry about paying for the medications. Also, if you live in a rural or remote area, you don’t need to worry about having to make long trips to receive care for your HIV. You and your care provider can consult with a specialist physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or social worker over the phone or through telehealth (video chat).

Hepatitis C medications are also now covered under Special Authority, to ensure that all British Columbians are able to access the treatment they require. In order for treatment to be funded, it is important that you are registered with Fair Pharmacare. 

• British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society
  Provides disability case management services for Indigenous people living with a disability.
• Disability Alliance BC
  Based in Vancouver, DABC provides support over the phone and in person with applying for Persons with Disabilities or Persons with Multiple Barriers to Employment Benefits. They can also assist people receiving these benefits with filing their income taxes, as well as providing information and referrals to other community and government resources.

• Aboriginal sexual health
  The Aboriginal Health Initiative, which was formed in 1993 in response to the growing recognition of the sexual and reproductive health disparity between Aboriginal people and the rest of Canada.
• First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)
  Health promotion and disease prevention for BC’s First Nations and Indigenous people. Information on wellness, traditional healing and First Nations Health Benefits.
• First Nations, Inuit and Indigenous Health
  See what Health Canada has to offer for Indigenous People’s health and well-being.
• Foundry
  Foundry offers health and wellness resources, services and supports for people aged 12-24, both online and through integrated centres across the province. In Northern BC, we have Foundry centres in both Prince George and Terrace, and the Foundry BC app lets young people across the region access a variety of online services.
• Health Canada
  Wealth of information with everything from maps and statistics to food nutrition.
• HealthLink BC (8-1-1 or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing)
  Health services, immunization schedules, or even checking your symptoms online. Health service navigators can connect you with a nurse, dietitian, exercise professional, or pharmacist.
• Northern Health (NH)
  The local health authority for the North, also links to NH Connections bus.
• Northern Health’s Mental Health and Substance Use services
  The program provides a wide range of programs and services to assist persons and their family experiencing difficulties with mental health and/or substance use.
• Options for Sexual Health
  Sexual and reproductive health care information and education.
• Scarleteen
  Geared toward young people between 15-30, education and support related to sexuality, sexual health and relationships.
• SmartSexResource
  Provides a great sexual health resource such as where to get tested for STIs in BC. You can also use private chat or email to interact with an experienced public health nurse.

• Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network (CAAN)
  An Indigenous organization committed to addressing the issues of HIV within an Indigenous context.
• CATIE
  Focused on HIV and hepatitis C information. Contains library/resource centre, issue a newsletter, and offer a counselling and referral service.
• Help4Hep (Toll-free helpline: 1-877-435-7443)
  Access a confidential peer-to-peer helpline where counselors help callers navigate everything HCV related.
• Hepatitis C: The basics (Providence Health Services Authority)
  Access a free one hour online course that is designed to help people living with HCV manage their self-care.
• NOHep
  A public group focused on the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030.
• Oak Tree Clinic
  Based in Vancouver, the clinic provides HIV care specifically for women throughout their lifespan. They also provide education for patients, families, health care providers and the public about the issues related to HIV in women and children
• Pacific AIDS Network (PAN)
  PAN focuses on leading a community-based response to HIV/AIDS, HCV and related communicable diseases. They offer many opportunities for people with lived experience.
• BC Hepatitis Network
  Find information about HCV in our province.
• YouthCO
  Offers opportunities for youth to participate in activities that reduce stigma around HIV and HCV in BC. Includes a calendar of events.

Northern Health supports community-based organizations across our region to provide local services and supports to people living with HIV and HCV, or who are at risk for the infection.

• Adding calories and protein to your diet (PDF) - Alberta Health Services
• Easy to chew diet (PDF) - Alberta Health Services
• Healthy living - Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE)
• Healthy snacks for adults - HealthLink BC
• HIV: Why healthy eating matters - HealthLink BC
• Managing nausea and vomiting (PDF) - Alberta Health Services

• BC Wide Crisis: 1-800-784-2433
• Care Provider Practice Support contact list (PDF) - Northern Health
• Northern BC 24hr Crisis Line: 1-888-562-1214
• Northern Health HIV and HCV Specialized Support Team: 1-888-645-6495
• Youth Crisis Support: 1-888-564-8336