Editor:
Re: Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic to close (Dec. 28 issue of The Gazette)
I appreciate the coverage of this important change in health services provided in Grand Forks, however, there has been some confusion regarding clinic services and I would like to clarify what is and is not
closing.
The STI (sexually transmitted infection) services that are being discontinued by IHA are provided through Public Health Nursing.
However, Public Health Nursing is not being discontinued.
Its sexual health services will continue to offer pregnancy testing and counseling, emergency contraception pills, condoms and contraceptive counseling, all confidential and free.
The OPTions for Sexual Health clinics in Grand Forks (Thursdays 5 to 7:30 p.m.) and Midway (second and fourth Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) are not being discontinued.
OPT Clinics provide education about methods of birth control, low-cost birth control products, paps, pregnancy testing, and at times STI services could be provided or referral to an appropriate provider.
Opt clinics are run by British Columbia’s OPTions for Sexual Health, a non-profit provider of comprehensive sexual health services (optionsforsexualhealth.org).
STI services can be accessed through your family physician at the doctor’s clinics in Grand Forks, Christina Lake and Midway.
Nancy Perry, Grand Forks, Options for Sexual Health