Impact of a province-wide initiative to provide free antiretroviral therapy to people living with HIV, a population-based analysis in Saskatchewan 

Ka-wâpamitin ôtê nîkân is a Plains Cree term which roughly translates to English as: “I will meet you there or I will see you on the other side.” This name was given by Elder Donna Lerat to a project led by Dr. David Blackburn.

Dr. Blackburn is a Professor and Associate Dean in the College of Pharmacy at the University of Saskatchewan. His research looks at the impact of the Government of Saskatchewan’s 2019 policy to provide free antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all Saskatchewan residents who are HIV-positive. The research aims to compare population-wide utilization of ART, health services and achieved HIV suppression before and after implementation of 100 per cent ART coverage. The research is also comparing differences in optimal adherence to ART medications before and after implementing ART coverage.

Waniska joined Ka-wâpamitin ôtê nîkân to assist in the project’s community engagement by focusing on Indigenous communities across the province. Our goal was to ensure the voices of those with lived/living experience of HIV and ART were heard. Community engagement began with our first sharing circle in North Battleford in September 2024, after which we engaged with communities in Saskatoon, Regina and the Northern Village of Pinehouse to include their voices in this project.

In March 2026, an article titled: Antiretroviral utilization and adherence before vs. after expansion of a provincial drug insurance policy was published in AIDS. The article was co-authored by Alexandra King, David Blackburn and many others and found that ART coverage expansion was associated with a higher number of claims, more active users, and a change in spending pattern; however, the authors did not detect a difference in the likelihood of achieving optimal adherence. Addressing additional gaps in HIV management remains a priority.

Principal Investigators: David Blackburn and Alexandra King

For more information, please contact pewaseskwan@usask.ca