Sask. NDP MPs urge Ottawa to do more to deal with HIV 'epidemic'

Saskatchewan's NDP members of Parliament are asking the federal health minister to do more to deal with HIV in theprovince.

• Sask. doctors call for state of emergency over HIV rates

The three MPsGeorginaJolibois, SheriBenson and Erin Weirsigned a letter delivered toHealthMinister Jane Philpott this morning in Ottawa.

In it, they describe HIV as an epidemicin the province, with rates double the national average.

• HIV rates 2 times higher in Sask. than national average

They note the disease is disproportionately affectingIndigenous people and urge the federal government to follow through on its commitment to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

• Truth and Reconciliation Commission urges Canada to confront 'cultural genocide' of residential schools

The MPs sayheath services for First Nations people are chronically underfundedanddifficultto access and they urge the federal government to do "better" for Indigenous people on and off reserve.