Saskatchewan Ministry of Health

Visit the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health’s website to:

  • Learn about HIV, including prevention, transmission, symptoms, living with HIV, stigma, and disclosure of HIV status.
  • Learn about who should be tested for HIV.
  • Learn about the types of HIV tests available.
  • Find information about HIV treatment and agencies that provide education and support services.

Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infection (STBBI) Testing Policy

The Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infection (STBBI) Testing Policy dated June 2025 replaces the Saskatchewan Routine Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Testing Policy dated March 2015. The Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infection (STBBI) Testing Policy provides guidance for programs and services aimed at supporting the reduction of STBBIs by ensuring the effective delivery of STBBI testing services. The policy provides a variety of options for STBBI testing in Saskatchewan to minimize missed testing opportunities in traditional and non-traditional settings, including:

  • Lab-based testing through routine offering of STBBI testing in healthcare and outreach settings
  • Point-of-care testing (POCT) to supplement lab-based testing
  • Self-testing as an alternative to lab-based testing or POCT

Saskatchewan Routine
HIV Testing Resource Kit

The Saskatchewan Routine HIV Testing Resource Kit for healthcare providers consists of:

Client Information Sheet
UPDATED JANUARY 2016

Provides clients with the information necessary for informed consent. Provide to the client prior to an appointment or interaction. The white side bar summarizes the minimum information required for consent, in plain language.

In-Depth Pre- and Post-Test Counselling
MARCH 2015

A review of optional information related to HIV and HIV testing. This resource can be used by healthcare providers when clients request additional information or need more in-depth counselling. Use of information in this document is at the discretion of the healthcare provider and should be based on client need.

Routine Testing Quick Guide
MARCH 2015

A short reference document depicting the basics of testing: Why, Who, When, How, and What to do with results.

Lab Testing Flow Chart
Updated July 2016

A visual depiction of the HIV testing cascade performed automatically through the Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory. Also includes simple instructions for clinical follow-up. Healthcare providers are not expected to have a detailed understanding of the content in this document and can be assured that by simply ordering “HIV Screen”, the cascade will proceed automatically.

Posters

Available for display in public areas to increase awareness and normalize the routine HIV testing process. The photographs included on the posters represent segments of Saskatchewan’s general population, rather than focusing on risk demographics. The intent of this approach is to convey the message that routine rather than targeted testing is encouraged. Space is provided on the posters so that local HIV Strategy Coordinators or organizations can give their contact information in order to provide additional support.

Routine HIV Testing – Postcard

HIV Get Tested Red Ribbon – Poster

HIV Get Tested Red Ribbon – Wallet Card

HIV Point of Care (POC) Testing

Guidelines for the Use of HIV Point of Care (POC) Test Kits in Saskatchewan

The Guidelines for the Use of HIV Point of Care (POC) Test Kits in Saskatchewan describe when and where HIV POC testing is appropriate, outline the recommended pre and post test counselling practices, and explain the public health duties and responsibilities related to HIV POC testing under The Public Health Act, 1994. Detailed information about how to set up a site to perform HIV POC testing and standard operating procedures can be found here: Roy Romanow Provincial Laboratory (RRPL) Instructions on How to Set Up an HIV Point of Care (POC) Site in Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Health Authority, 2020)

Quarterly Saskatchewan HIV Point of Care (POC) Test Reporting Procedure and Standard Work

This document was prepared by the Saskatchewan HIV Collaborative to provide instructions on persons and sites responsible for submitting quarterly HIV POC test reports for inclusion in Saskatchewan Ministry of Health publications and reports.

Download: Appendix A: HIV Point of Care (POC) Testing Reporting Form

Self-Testing

The provincial ordering process for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Self-testing Kit Program in Saskatchewan can be found here: Ordering Process for the HIV Self-testing Kit Program in Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Health Authority, 2025)

For enquiries or further information, email HIVselftesting@saskhealthauthority.ca.

For more information about self-testing kits, visit the resources below:

HIV Case Reporting Form

Filing this report is mandatory by law. Under The Public Health Act it is mandatory to report all cases of HIV and AIDS to the Medical Health Officer of the regional health authority, following which mandatory information on confirmed cases will be forwarded to the Chief Medical Health Officer.

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