Dozens of B.C. sexual health clinics critically underfunded: non-profit

Dozens of sexual health clinics across B.C. say they are at risk of closing as provincial funding dries up.

Options for Sexual Health, a non-profit that directly manages 30 sexual health clinics across B.C., penned an open letter to supporters in December.

‘Options’ says it receives 80 per cent of its funding from the provincial government, but funding hasn’t increased since 2012. With inflation and increased patient demand, Tiffany Melius, Options’ executive director, tells The Leader Spirit it’s now at risk of shutting down over 80 per cent of its operations.

“It’s a step backwards in terms of equity and equality of services for folks from different communities,” said Melius.

The organization serves about 14,000 patients per year, providing STI testing, birth control, cervical screening and other reproductive care, but says many services could soon come to an end.

“ER visits are going to increase. And ER visits are much more expensive than folks coming to us… we are especially going to see impacts in rural and remote communities where we may be the only ones offering services like this,” explained Melius.

Upon hearing the news, she says many patients have shared their experiences with the clinic and the importance of access to sexual health care.

“We have been creating an environment where [patients] feel accepted and valued,” said Melius. “That option may not be there for them.”

Options is seeking $800,000 in ‘bridge funding’ from the province by the end of this month, and a commitment to ongoing, increased funding.

In a statement to The Leader Spirit, Health Minister Josie Osborne says the ministry will “work with options and other partners to find a pathway forward to support their delivery of care.”

“We’re now at this point where it’s a critical time we cannot continue offering the services we offer without that increase in funding,” said Melius.