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She explained that if people are taking the antiretroviral dugs as prescribed then it reduces viral load or the impact of the disease on the individuals.

Carverhill said with proper treatment there is virtually no chance of an infected individual transmitting the disease to others and reduces hospital stays and further complications to the disease.

The students are calling on the government to introduce universal coverage of antiretroviral therapy for HIV positive patients who are not otherwise covered under the federal government’s Non-Insured Healthcare Benefits program.

Carverhill said everyone they met with was receptive to what they had to say, but it remains to be seen if changes will happen.

It is an important issue for her and her classmates because they work on the frontline at clinics and hospitals.

“For us, it’s really saddening to see patients with HIV who aren’t able to access the medication that we know work and we know that will help them,” said Carverhill. “It’s about advocating. We know that sometimes advocacy has to happen beyond the walls of our clinics, our hospitals and our school.”

Margaret Poitras, CEO of All Nations Hope, has been an advocate for people with HIV and AIDS since 1988 and she supports the students’ efforts, but added it’s is much more complicated than just making therapy accessible to everyone.

First, she noted, one has to find ways to get those diagnosed with the disease through the doors so they can access treatment.