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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Stanton Territorial Hospital used the occasion of World AIDS Day to introduce its newest internist, the NWT's first specialist in infectious diseases.

Stanton Territorial Hospital's new internist Dr. Terry Wuerz is the NWT's first specialist in infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. - Thandiwe Vela/NNSL photo

Dr. Terry Wuerz, a specialist in internal medicine and sub-specialist in infectious diseases such as HIV, joined the hospital on Oct. 30, and will locally treat complex disease cases that were previously referred to physicians in Edmonton, including tuberculosis, antibiotic-resistant skin infections, and (sexually transmitted infections) such as syphilis.

"We've been corresponding with Dr. Wuerz for months before he arrived here (from Winnipeg) because we've been so excited about having someone with his capability," said Dr. Kami Kandola, deputy chief public health officer for the NWT.

"And not just with HIV but we have tuberculosis, we have MRSA (a form of antibiotic-resistant bacteria), we have a number of high rates of (sexually transmitted infections). This is an ideal environment for someone like Dr. Terry Wuerz to work in."

On World AIDS Day, which is marked each year on Dec. 1, Kandola stressed that the NWT has not been untouched by the epidemic, adding at this time last year there were 71,300 Canadians living with HIV.

Since HIV was made a reportable disease in the NWT in 1987, an estimated 66 individuals with HIV have at one time resided in the NWT. Currently, there are 24 known cases of people living with HIV in the territory.

The arrival of Wuerz means that for the first time, those living with HIV/AIDS in the NWT will no longer have to travel south to get care for the chronic, immunodeficiency infection.

"With proper treatment, a person diagnosed with HIV today in the early stages of their disease could look forward to a life-expectancy and quality similar to their peers without HIV," said Wuerz, referring to the antiviral medications which need to be taken daily. "However, over half of people with HIV in North America are not on treatment today and one of our biggest tasks today is to get the word out there. We need to find those that are infected, link them to the appropriate care and keep them engaged in care.

"I will be pleased to see anyone who is newly diagnosed in the Northwest Territories."

Previously, an HIV patient would have to see a care provider in Edmonton as many as four times or more per year.

"This means that anyone who is living with HIV can get their care locally without needing to be flown south for regular appointments," Wuerz said. "That means that four or more times a year people can stay put in their home community instead of flying down south and taking time out of their lives.

"I also look forward to working with Dr. Kandola towards developing strategies that can help enable people to become aware, seek diagnostic tests, get diagnosed early, get linked to care, and on treatment."

Without a sub-specialist in HIV and other infectious diseases, it was difficult to know whether a patient was being prescribed antivirals on a regular basis and if they were taking their antivirals, Kandola said, making the risk of spreading the virus a public health issue.

Having the specialist in Yellowknife and the ability to provide care close to home will mean "efficiency of service and better care," she said.

"Dr. Wuerz will now have newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS clients refer to him directly instead of flying them down south for assessment and treatment."

Without treatment, HIV slowly destroys the immune system although most people will not know of their status until late stage because they are without symptoms.

There is no known cure for HIV.

Wuerz's wife, Dr. Jacquelyn Dirks, is also an internist and sub-specialist in respirology, and will be joining Stanton in February.

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